Ruby holiday 2014 by RUBY magazine

Ruby for Women Ruby for Women Ruby for Women Holiday, 2014 A voice for every Christian woman A voice for everyAutumn Christian2013 woman

2014 “A voice for everySummer, Christian woman”

“Her worth is far above rubies . . .” Proverbs 31:10

Ruby for Women A voice for every Christian woman Holiday, 2014 www.rubyforwomen.com

With the changing of the seasons, comes the joy and celebration of the holidays. Let us celebrate God’s blessings with our Thanksgiving traditions, and recall God’s Gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as we celebrate the Christmas holiday. Here at Ruby for Women, we continue to reach out to women all over the world with God’s words of hope, inspiration, and encouragement, and provide a place where every Christian woman has the opportunity to tell her story. Won’t you join us on this journey of discovery and share your story with us soon? We would love to hear from you! Contact us at editor@rubyforwomen.com Senior Editor: Nina Newton Assistant Editor: Amanda Johnson Poetry: Keith Wallis Creative Assistant: Katherine Corrigan Family Fun Editor: Beth Brubaker Gardening: Dorothy Kurchak Devotions: Lynn Mosher Feature Writers: Connie Arnold, Carin LeRoy, Theresa Ceniccola, Mimi Spurlock, Marilyn Dawson, Sharon L. Patterson, Carol Peterson, Gloria Doty, Kristi Burchfiel, Yvonne Carson, Christie Browning, Amanda Stephan, Miriam Jacob, Michelle Lazurek, Connie Chandler, Ruth O’Neil, Maxine Young, Debra Ann Elliott, Corallie Buchanan, Heather King, Angie Hiskett, Lanette Kissel, Kathleen Stamer, Donna B. Comeaux, Melissa ZelnikerPresser, Jean Ann Williams

In This Issue . . . Page

Title

Our Pet Python Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

No Other Way Amanda Johnson, Asst. Editor

Ruby Pearls Beth Brubaker

Check the Temperature Puzzle Beth Brubaker

Turkey in the Straw Cupcakes Sugartown Sweets

Destination Thanksgiving Lynn Mosher

Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story Book Review by Miriam Jacob

Oz and I Carol Peterson

Overflowing Thanksgiving Gratitude Box Make Easy Crafts

The Legacy Angela Hiskett

The Legacy: A Poem Angela Hiskett

Thanksgiving Recipes Vintage Mama

Forgiving Dad Christie Browning

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Page 13

Page 15

Page 23

Ruby for Women is an online Christian women’s magazine that offers words of hope, inspiration, and encouragement to women everywhere. Knowing that every woman has a story to tell, we seek to give a “voice to every Christian woman,” from all walks of life, of every age, from all around the world. For advertising inquiries, please contact Nina Newton at editor@rubyforwomen.com If you would like to share your story with Ruby for Women, please email our Assistant Editor, Amanda Johnson, at ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Also, please visit our blog at www.rubyforwomen.com where you can connect with other Christian women. 1 Ruby for Women 2731 W 700 N Columbia City, IN 46725 editor@rubyforwomen.com

Page

Title

Page

Title

Carol’s Book Club Carol Peterson

The Odd Sock Ruth O’Neil

Author Interview: Michelle Lazurek Beth Brubaker

Footprints in the Mud: Blue Cookies Beth Brubaker

The Bough Sharon L. Patterson

Kingdom Priorities in the Christmas Story Miriam Jacob

Vibrant Youth Miriam Jacob

Kids’ Corner Carol Peterson

Home

Who Is . . . . Sharon L. Patterson

God’s Way of Renewing the Mind Kathleen Stamer

Page 29

Donna B. Comeaux 43

Pretty Little Pumpkins Vintage Mama

Page 43

Watch those Calories! Puzzle Beth Brubaker

Cherry Delight Dorothy Kurchak

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right Marilyn Dawson

Kids’ Christmas Crafts Vintage Mama

He Stands Knocking Lanette Kissel

Author Interview: Marlene Bagnull Beth Brubaker

A Letter to My Mother Lanette Kissel

Infinite Countdown Keith Wallis

Page 51

Page 70

Page 73

Ask Beth Beth Brubaker

Remembering Newtown Keith Wallis

Prayer Angela Hiskett

The Good Shepherd Donna B. Comeaux

A Season of Guinea Pigs Jean Ann Williams

He Came for Failures! Lynn Mosher

Christmas Recipes Vintage Mama

What is Peace? Angela Hiskett

A Wonderful Life Maxine Young

Light in the Manger Miriam Jacob

Down the Lane Word Puzzle Beth Brubaker

The Luke 2 Christmas Surprise: Corby’s Turn Sharon L. Patterson

Telling the Story of Christmas: A History of Advent Calendars Vintage Mama

Can I Do This! Donna B. Comeaux

Check the Temperature Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

Page 57

Page 63

Page 77

Page 93

Make Your Own Advent Calendar Vintage Mama

Chief: The Dog Who Remodeled My Garage and My Heart Sharon L. Patterson

Watch Those Calories! Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

The Minute to Win It New Year’s Eve Party Michelle Lazurek

Carolling the King Keith Wallis

Down the Lane Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

Incarnate Nativity Keith Wallis

106

Meet the Ruby Writers

113

Credits and Copyrights

Page 65

2 Page 97

Ruby for Women Magazine and Blog

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You have a story and we want to hear it! God has given a voice to every Christian woman and we celebrate YOUR voice. Please visit us at the

Ruby for Women blog and share your story with us! * * * *

Inspirational posts Featured bloggers FREE seasonal online magazine Crafts, recipes, poetry, and stories We would love to hear from you! www.rubyforwomen.com

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Nov. 1: Book Lover’s Day Nov. 3: Housewife’s Day Nov. 3: Sandwich Day Nov. 4: U.S. General Election Day Nov. 5: Guy Fawkes Day Nov. 6: Saxophone Day Nov. 8: Dunce Day Nov. 10: USMC Day Nove.11: VETERAN’S DAY Nov. 11: Young Readers’ Day Nov. 12: Chicken Soup for the Soul Day

Nov. 13: Sadie Hawkins Day Nov. 13: World Kindness Day Nov. 14: World Diabetes Day Nov. 16: Button Day Nov. 17: Homemade Bread Day Nov. 20: Beautiful Day Nov. 22: National Adoption Day Nov. 23: Eat a Cranberry Day Nov. 27: Pins and Needles Day Nov. 27: THANKSGIVING DAY 4 Nov. 29: Square Dance Day

Our Pet Python Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

The other day as we were driving down the road, probably to piano lessons or a volleyball game, the conversation turned to the topic of forgiveness.

“Probably not so good . . . . then the other girls would think I really was whatever it was she said about me.”

The discussion began with questions about the consequences of an unforgiving heart and a desire to “fight back” when another person does something that is hurtful and destructive.

So far, pretty good, except that it appeared we didn’t really know for sure what was said, or if it even WAS said at all, but perhaps just another girl’s trick on my daughter.

That is a topic that can be a daily challenge for people of all ages, but especially for kids in middle school, it just might be a moment-by-moment experience, depending on their circumstances.

“What else could you do in that kind of situation?” I asked, trying not to be TOO obvious.

So when we find ourselves confronted with the choice to lash out at that other person who has hurt us, it can be very difficult not to seek revenge, especially if the hurt has been life-altering. Now, since this mama is not a psychologist or a therapist, but just an ordinary mama, my advice might be all wrong – but here’s how the conversation went: “Mom, when another girl talks about me behind my back, what should I do?” “Hmmmm . . . . . “ began this mama, trying to figure out the best way to answer that age-old question (at least for girls!). “Seems to me you’ve got a couple of options, don’t you think?” “It just made me so mad; I wanted to yell at her, right in front of all the other girls at the lunch table!” “How do you think that would have worked out?” I asked, relieved that her impulse had not been to trip the other girl or give her a good whack.

“I could just smile and walk away,” she suggested, “but that wouldn’t be FAIR!” she insisted. “That’s true, but then . . . . . there are lots of things in life that aren’t “fair,” so this might be about what is best for YOU,” I said. “So I should just let people get away with being mean to me?!?!” she asked, incredulously. “Well, not exactly,” I said, trying to buy a bit of time for her to come to her own conclusion. “What then?” she asked. “I just wanted to yell at her!” “OK, let’s think about it this way,” I began. “Let’s say a big ol’ poisonous snake slithered up on our back porch . . . .” “Ew, yuck!” exclaimed both girls at the same time. “Well, think about it . . . . so, this big ol’ poisonous snake is on our back porch, hissing and slithering around, just looking for an opportunity to BITE you every time you walk out the back door.” Silence. They must have been contemplating that awesome scene. 5

“And let’s say we all decided to bring it into our house and keep it for a pet.” “Well, that would be dumb!” they both decided. “Why would that be dumb?” I asked, in my most innocent voice. “Because we would just be asking to be bit, or whatever those big ol’ poisonous snakes do to people.”

That’s how hatred and unforgiveness work. Eventually it will hurt YOU way more than it will ever hurt the person you are mad at.” Again, silence. “So, I guess I can just stay as far away from that mean ol’ snake as possible – and I can stay away from mean people as much as possible,” she paused, thinking. “But that doesn’t mean no one will ever be able to hurt me, does it?” she asked.

Very good conclusion. “Well, when you keep anger and unforgiveness in your heart, and you are always thinking about a way to ‘get back’ at the person who hurt you, that is kind of like having a pet snake who might bite you at any minute,” I explained. “So you bring it into your heart and into your home, and you pet it and feed it, and sometimes you might even name it, and all the time it is slowly squeezing you to death, just waiting for an opportunity to BITE you.

“Nope, not at all, but here’s the secret . . . . “ I whispered, to make sure they were both listening. “If you stay as far away from snakes as possible, it will be a whole lot harder for them to hurt you. No guarantees, but if you get rid of that pet python, he’s not going to be able to bite you in your sleep!” “EWWWWW!” the both exclaimed, and off we went to whatever event was on our schedule for that particular afternoon.

Creative inspiration and craft tutorials from Vintage Mama’s Cottage 6

No Other Way by Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Many people in today’s culture believe there is more than one way to get to Heaven. Some believe being a good person will suffice, while others believe it involves a series of works and sacrifices. Still others think that believing in God will be enough, although, they are quick to clarify that everyone has their own particular “god” and so there are different paths to Heaven depending on which “god” is followed. The truth of the matter; however, is that there is only One way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. He alone is our path to salvation because He alone gave His life on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Yes, our sins…me, you, the person next to you…all of us sin and are by nature corrupt and a corrupt life deserves the punishment of death (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 3:10, 12). In John 10, Jesus refers to himself as the Shepherd and His people as His sheep. Jesus says “I am the gate for the sheep…whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:7,9). He also says “anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6). There is no other way to gain access to Heaven except through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. His blood shed on the cross has washed us clean and made us whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). Through His life, death, and resurrection from the grave we have hope, peace, and eternal security with Him in Heaven.

Ruby Pearls In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it. –Marianne Williamson, Writer

November 3rd is Sandwich Day! Make an extra sandwich and share with someone!

December 10th is Sister-Friend Day! Do something special for that friend who is like a sister! 7

Check the Temperature Puzzle by Beth Brubaker Fill in the thermometers so that they match the numbers on the side of the grid - all bulbs must be filled in before you fill in the stems. But be careful - some thermometers could be empty!

Answer key on page 96 8

Turkey in the Straw Cupcakes from the kitchen of Karen at Sugartown Sweets Happy Thanksgiving everybody! If you need a last minute & super easy Thanksgiving cupcake . . . here it is! I have so many blessings to be thankful for. I have a wonderful family to celebrate the holiday with. I am blessed with a wonderful church, pastor and church family. Thank you LORD for your blessings on me! And now . . . I get to eat these cute & yummy cupcakes!

What you need: • • • • •

Cupcakes Frosting Shredded Wheat cereal Orange candy melts Pretzel sticks

Let’s make it! •

In a small sauce pan, heat the orange candy melts over low heat until they melt.

•

Fill a small squeeze bottle with the melted candy and pipe the turkey feet onto a sheet of parchment paper.

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Place pretzel sticks into the turkey feet and hold until the candy cools and is set.

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Easy turkey feet piped onto parchment paper! When candy hardens, gently peel feet off paper.

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Cover frosted cupcake with broken up Shredded Wheat.

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Place turkey legs upside down into cupcake.

That's it! Cute and sweet! Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving from my family to yours! Karen at SUGARTOWN SWEETS Tracking a link back to my blog, I found some of my readers in Japan aren't sure what the "straw" is made of. Here is a link to the Shredded Wheat.

Destination Thanksgiving by Lynn Mosher When you know your destination, is the journey any easier? More enjoyable? Depends, doesn’t it? Depends on how long it takes to get there, what happens on the way, and if the kids say, “Are we there yet?” a bazillion times. What if your destination is Grandma’s for that Thanksgiving turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, or whatever your traditional fare is?

“When we experience the bumps and potholes of trials and hurts, our desirable destination is to get to the other side of these things, knowing our thanksgiving will emerge there. But shouldn’t the journey be filled with thanksgiving as well, knowing that God will see us through it all?”

If you travel any distance to get to this feast, doesn’t the end result give you pleasure along the way? Are you not thankful for this tasty repast even as you travel? And when everyone is seated around the table, isn’t the journey barely remembered? Shouldn’t this be our attitude in our journey through life? When we experience the bumps and potholes of trials and hurts, our desirable destination is to get to the other side of these things, knowing our thanksgiving will emerge there. But shouldn’t the journey be filled with thanksgiving as well, knowing that God will see us through it all? What happens to our thanksgiving when we meet those different obstacles along the way? What happens to our thanksgiving when peace disintegrates into chaos, when a husband loses his job and finances are cut off, when a child is in a car wreck, when the repo man stands knocking at the door, when friends desert, when buying Christmas presents is a vague recollection, when pain strikes the chest and there is no insurance, when the roof overhead is in jeopardy of being taken away, when the cupboard holds no more than the cup? I have known all of the above, and through them all, I experienced the Lord walking by my side and His hand at work in my circumstances to make “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 NKJV) I desire to have the same attitude of gratitude as Habakkuk. In his prayer, the prophet asserted his faith in God and promised to praise Him, even if all else failed, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even 11

though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Hab. 3:17-18 NLT) Through it all, I have learned to praise God no matter what. When my day is darkened with a multitude of problems that need to “take a ticket, take a seat,” and the songs of my heart begin to stick in my throat, do I still sing to Him anyway? You bet! When my eyes spill over with the tears of heartache, do I still look to Him and praise Him? Absolutely! When chaos invades my world, do I still claim His peace and praise Him? Yes, indeedy! For “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace.” (Ps. 34:1 TLB) I have also learned Paul’s secret, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want,” (Phil. 4:12 TLB) for the secret is as he told the Thessalonians, “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18 TLB) Thanksgiving is not a once-a-year, special holiday for being as overstuffed as the turkey. Thanksgiving is an eternal season of the heart, an overflow of the heart’s gratitude for all that God has done, is doing, and will do, and for everything one possesses, no matter how much or how little that may be. Therefore, every day of our journey is Thanksgiving Day. “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2 NKJV)

Thanksgiving blessings, Lynn

“Thanksgiving is not a once-a-year, special holiday for being as overstuffed as the turkey. Thanksgiving is an eternal season of the heart, an overflow of the heart’s gratitude for all that God has done, is doing, and will do, and for everything one possesses, no matter how much or how little that may be.”

Joni and Ken An Untold Love Story by Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada Book Review by Miriam Jacob Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada live out their faith on the world’s stage, in full view of the glaring spotlight, where every flaw is highlighted and nothing is secret. Here is a precious glimpse into the lives of two people who love Christ and each other. Theirs is a faith that triumphs over the worst odds. They inspire people to conquer the obstacles of life for the glory of God and the love of Christ. A truly selfless couple who firmly believe that Jesus is the answer to all life's problems, Ken and Joni overcome their own personal challenges through complete surrender to Christ. They inspire us to surrender our hearts to the One who loves us wholeheartedly. Here is a unique love story for the ages as we watch their trials draw them closer to Christ and shape them into His glorious likeness for eternity. Their groundbreaking ministry "Wheels for the World" provides a free wheelchair and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children and adults affected by disability. Here are two lives joyfully lived, two hearts beating as one, for the glory of God. This poignant, powerful love story will reverberate through the centuries as Joni and Ken display the rare jewels of love, tenderness, unselfishness and patience, anointed by the Holy Spirit. This is a story of hope reflecting His heart. Through intense adversity, their love for Christ shines through as their marriage strives to portray Christ’s love for His bride, the Church. Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner.

Miriam Jacob is a book reviewer at Christian Book Distributors, Barnes and Noble, Google Books and Harper Collins Christian Publishing (BookLook Bloggers). She writes reviews for Christian books, in the categories of literary fiction, non-fiction, poetry and politics. Her personal blog is “Authors for Christ” http://authorsforchrist.blogspot.com Miriam is also the Founder of “Anointed for Christ Church Ministries,” a parachurch organization in cyberspace, with visitors from 168 countries worldwide. It is listed in Google’s Open Directory Project. Anointed for Christ Church Ministries http://www.miriamjacob.proboards.com 13

by Carol Peterson, Author

One of the coolest things about morning devotionals is that so often they are exactly the thing you need to read that day. Oswald Chambers has a special knack for timing his daily devotionals (from My Utmost for His Highest) to my life. Usually that knack includes a head whack. But other times it’s exactly right without the whacking.

I had decided to write a Bible study with a working title of Atop the Mountain. I had a vague idea of taking events from Scripture where Jesus happened to be on a hillside or mountain top—the Transfiguration, the Sermon on the Mount, Calvary Hill, for example. I wanted to have some sort of connection between the truths Jesus revealed on mountaintops and our lives down here in the valley. As I tried to put this into words, I realized that my vague thesis needed a whole lot of fleshing out before I could get started writing. And I found myself struggling. The very next morning, Oswald began a series of four daily devotionals about how we are not to remain on the mountaintop with God but that we are to take what we experience about God down into our everyday valley lives. Here are snapshots from those four devotionals: We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, where we have seen things from God’s perspective and have wanted to stay there. But God will never allow us to stay there. The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 1) The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God—that is where our faithfulness is revealed. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 2) We must be able to “mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31), but we must also know how to come down. The power of the saint lies in the coming down and in the living that is done in the valley. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 3) There are times when we do know what God’s purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us, not on God. If we prefer to relax on the mountaintop and live in the memory of the vision, then we will be of no real use in the ordinary things of which human life is made. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 4) Thanks, Oz. I needed to hear this that day. We all need to hear this every day. My Utmost for His Highest is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner 14

Overflowing Thanksgiving Gratitude Box from Make Easy Crafts Here’s a fun and easy Thanksgiving craft project to help you remember all of life’s blessings. The Overflowing Thanksgiving Gratitude Box is perfect for all ages, and would be a great project to do with a group of children after Thanksgiving dinner to keep them focused on the meaning of the celebration. The Overflowing Thanksgiving Gratitude Box project can be made using scraps of pretty paper, handwritten notes or quotes about being thankful, a bit of glue and some markers. Once you have completed your Overflowing Thanksgiving Gratitude Box, just take the lid off the box and the sides fall open, overflowing with all of the things that your are thankful for! This is an easy Thanksgiving craft idea that is perfect for children. Although adult supervision is needed for the paper cutting, children can glue, color and list things they are thankful for. Craft Project Time: 2 hours What you need: Card stock: should be coordinating colors • One 12” X 12” piece of cardstock (outside of box) • One 10 1/4” X 10 1/4” piece of cardstock (middle layer of box) • One 9” X 9” piece of cardstock (top layer of box) • One 6 1/4" X 6 1/4" piece of cardstock (for lid) Scrapbook Paper: Use 6-7 different sheets of paper in coordinating colors • Eight pieces of 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" scrapbook paper o Optional: One piece of 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" scrapbook paper (for the box lid) • Eight pieces of 2 3/4" X 2 3/4" scrapbook paper • Eight pieces of 2 1/2” X 2 1/2" scrapbook paper o Optional: One piece of 2 1/2” X 2 1/2" scrapbook paper (for the inside of box) Thankful Notes • 24 notes of things you are grateful for. Cut to 2 1/2” X 2 1/2" or smaller. Tools • • • •

Paper cutter Scoring blade for paper cutter Scissors Paper glue

• • •

4 paper clips Corner rounder (optional) Embellishments (optional)

Let’s make it! STEP #1: To make the base of the box, take one sheet of 12” X 12” cardstock and place it face down on a table. Measure and score the cardstock 4” from each side. (The scoring tool makes an impression in the paper, without cutting all the way through, allowing you to fold the paper easily.)

STEP #2: The score lines should make a square in each corner of the paper. Cut off each corner, carefully following the score lines. Repeat with the other two box pieces. Take the 10 1/4” X 10 1/4” cardstock and turn it over so the side you want on the outside is facing down. Measure and score the cardstock 3 1/2 inches from each side. The score lines should make a square in each corner of the paper. Cut off each corner square. Take the 9” X 9” cardstock and turn it over so the side you want on the outside is facing down. Measure and score the cardstock 3 inches from each side. The score lines should make a square in each corner of the paper. Cut off each corner square. Take the coordinating pieces of scrapbook paper and lay them out on the 3 pieces of cardstock. This is an important step because it will help you see the finished picture. It will prevent you from placing the same scrapbook pieces together. STEP #3: When the paper is the way you want it, glue each piece down, beginning with the largest piece of cardstock. Do not glue scrapbook paper to the center of either side of this piece. STEP #4: Glue the scrapbook papers to the middle-sized piece of cardstock. Do not glue scrapbook paper to the center of either side of this piece. The centers will never be seen. 16

STEP #5: Glue the scrapbook papers to the smallest piece of cardstock. Be sure to cover both sides. Optional: you may glue scrapbook paper on the inside center of the smallest piece of cardstock. Allow the glue to dry. STEP #6: Take each piece of paper listing your blessings. Lay the paper out the way you want it.

Note: The blessing on the bottom flap should be upside down. The blessing on the right flap should be rotated clockwise 90 degrees. The blessing on the left should be rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees. (See picture.) When the sides are folded up, each blessing will be right side up. If it is done correctly, the top flap of the cardstock will always be right side up, even as you rotate it to allow each piece to be on top. Optional: Have the blessings you are most grateful for (Dad, Mom, children, etc.) on the outside of the box. It makes this Thanksgiving craft idea meaningful for your family. When the papers are the way you want them, glue each paper down in the center of the scrapbook paper. Begin with the largest piece, then the middle and finally the smallest piece. Allow glue to dry. STEP #6: When glue is dry, place a small amount of glue on the back of the center of the smallest cardstock. Place in the center of the middle-sized cardstock. Place a small amount of glue on the back of the center of the middle-sized cardstock. Place it in the center of the largest cardstock. Allow glue to dry. When the glue is dry, fold up the sides. 17

STEP #7: To make the lid for the box, take the 6 1/4â&#x20AC;? X 6 1/4" cardstock and turn it over so the side you want to be the top of the lid is facing down. Measure and score the cardstock 1 inch from each side. The score lines should make a square in each corner of the cardstock. Fold up the sides.

Turn the cardstock over. Score each corner diagonally, from the tip of the corner to the edge of the corner, marked by the score lines. Fold diagonal score lines, pinching them so they fold inward. Glue inward fold of corner and fold and glue to the right. Hold in place with a paper clip. Repeat for each side. Allow glue to dry. Optional: Glue scrapbook paper to the top of the lid. Optional: Add Thanksgiving embellishments. When glue is dry, remove paperclips. Fold up the box and place the lid on top.

This easy Thanksgiving craft idea makes a good holiday decoration and is a good reminder of all of the blessings in life you have.

Thank You to our friends at Make Easy Crafts for sharing this fun and festive Thanksgiving craft project with Ruby for Women.

The Legacy by Angela Hiskett What do we want to give our children? We have many hopes and dreams for them. That they are more successful than we are, that they are more skilled. We want them to have faith, friends, and love. We want them to make good grades, have a sense of humor, and be hardworking, honest, kind, forgiving. We want them to know how to cook and clean and be self-sufficient, to manage their money, and to be responsible. If you can’t home-school – which we can’t because we cannot afford not to work – how do you do it all – how do you find the time to pass all the important things down to the next generation? It is all important. I used to get discouraged at how to teach my kids to become adults. I used to worry that they were not ‘involved’ in enough things. I don’t worry anymore. I sat down one day and thought, “Where to start, what is the most important thing I can pass to them? If I were to die before they are grown, what do I want them to remember?” FAITH! God is the most important. None of the other stuff even matters in the face of salvation!!!! (And yet a lot of that stuff will come along with a true faith.) I grew up believing in God. I grew up knowing all about Heaven and how to get there. I actually was a very rare teenager. As a 13 year old girl who God saved from making a giant mistake, I chose never to lie again. And I have kept that promise. I did not drink on weekends, and I made decent choices when dealing with ‘boys.’ Even though I was not a typical teenager, I still did not read my Bible. I would leaf through it occasionally, maybe read a verse here and there; I would pray ‘pretty much’ daily. We went to church, usually. But I didn’t even know about tithing.

My faith deepened greatly when I had my boys. I took them to church almost every Sunday, and I read Bible stories to them. When things got bad with their dad, (this had been growing for a very long time) my prayer life dramatically deepened. I sought Christian counselors. But I still didn’t read my Bible through. After we had to leave and begin divorce proceedings, I found my Bible. I FOUND my Bible; I began my TRUE faith walk. And it has grown and grown and grown and grown some more. I don’t want my kids to wait until they are 30 to learn the truths of the Bible. I don’t want them to wait until they are 32 to know exactly how God wants them to live their lives. I don’t want them to wait until they are 36 to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus wherever they go. Think of what this kind of faith will mean as they go through their lives! They need it to make choices in high school. They need God to choose a spouse. Most of all, if Jesus comes tomorrow, they need their faith to LIVE. The most important thing we can give our kids as a gift or legacy is FAITH. And the biggest part of passing faith on to them is the Bible. Matthew 4:4 “But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” NLT Jesus himself quoted those words from Deuteronomy 8:3, when he fought off the Devil’s temptations. We all want our kids to have the weapon to fight off Satan! You teach them the Bible, you show them how to apply it through examples in your own life and 19 whenever you can in their lives.

You show them how important they are, and how important time in God’s word is by investing time in them all. Give them the tools through Bible study. Show them how to use those tools in life by using them yourself! What do you do as a family to teach your children about God and the Bible? I mentioned earlier that my kids aren’t involved in a lot of activities. Most of that is their choice; they have been raised with a strong family value and those other activities take up time that we would otherwise we have together. They also like to have time to live life; time to be kids. By the time they do homework and their chore responsibilities and eat supper, there isn’t much time left just to be a kid. You throw in structured activities and there really is NO kid time. When I asked myself about the most important legacy, it meant getting rid of some of the “not as important” things. It cuts into play time and TV time, but we do family devotions on a regular basis. How else will they learn the Bible and how to understand it? Our devotions consist of reading a passage of the Bible through together, re-reading parts and asking questions, and writing down what they learned or what they will take away from the lesson, or how they think they will use it in life, or even an example of how to live to honor God.. They always use the same journals for our devotions (they often take their Bible journals to church to in case they want to take some sermon notes). Then we round-robin pray as a family – each taking a turn. We used to jump around and read important passages I had found. But we gave that up because I was afraid we would miss something. We started in the New Testament and are reading it straight through. Wow, we have had some great discussions!

We are in the middle of Acts now, just past Saul’s conversion and ministry. We ended up going to bed late one night because as they were reading what they had learned, I had noticed something was missing from their notes. I asked them, “Why would God choose Saul?” They thought through it and came up with a few things. I pointed out to them what an amazing work God had used Saul for, and we talked about what a powerful message it sends when a person of importance, who is formidably against something and then changed his mind, admitted he was wrong, and took up his new viewpoint with even more gusto! And just remember who Saul was… Paul! Soon the kids were paging through their Bibles to see just how much of the New Testament Paul had written. Paul is still teaching today! Right now! During these studies, you will get to know your kids, they will get to know you, and most of all… they will get to know God. You will watch your kids change and grow as He comes firmly into their lives. There are other forms of devotions, too. You can use commercial devotionals; I think I may begin writing some of those. Last summer we stopped reading for a while and watched The Bible miniseries. I had my Bible out and we would pause the movie to discuss the differences from the movie and the Bible, so that they always knew what really happened. Looking back, I would have also told them where to find it and had them read that portion before we watched it, and mark all the differences. We still 20 ended with writing what we learned and a prayer.

The last few evenings we have been watching a DVD called The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. WOW! The kids are pumped! Her audience is adults, but it is a great message for everyone. While we were getting supper, they were asking, “Can we finish that movie mom? Can we? That was awesome!” As a matter of fact, my youngest (10 years old) was whining and pouting about something and I said “Hey!” and pointed to the TV. As if on cue, Joyce Meyer looked right into the camera and said loudly “Jesus Christ did not die so you could sit there and whine and cry.” His countenance immediately altered and he started laughing. We all did, and that cured that issue. There were several times he leaned over to me and whispered, “That was for me mom, she’s talking to me,” referring to different parts of the presentation. And there were a few moments that I leaned over and told him the same thing: “That one was meant for me.” What an experience our family devotions have been! Another essential part of giving your children a legacy of a living faith and family devotions and prayer is, well, family. Your kids aren’t going to see the importance of faith and learning how to live for God, if you don’t show them. They need to see us living our own faith. They need to see God taking a front seat in your own life, you spending time in the Word, and sharing your findings. We can’t hand our kids a devotional and a Bible and say “Here you go, you will learn so much!” It won’t be important to them if it is not important to us.

Since we are all surrounded by electronic devices, so put them to a good use. Even the most basic cell phone has an alarm clock on it. Set an alarm for family devotional time! Sometimes we lose track of time. Especially in the summer we would find ourselves missing our devotion time because we would look up and realize it was way past time for sleep. So we set an alarm and when it rang; we would get comfy and ready for bed, and then have our devotions and prayer. Or we would pair our devotion time with pop and popcorn (as long as it wasn’t too distracting). We had to demonstrate that this devotional time is as valuable to us as we want it to be to them. It is not just showing the importance of faith; it is also showing our kids how important they are to us. Taking the time to do anything with our kids – no distractions allowed – demonstrates love. Time is a commodity. It’s valuable. Use it in a valuable way. Nothing is more valuable and worth your time than loving your kids and showing them the legacy of Christ’s love, forgiveness, and how to live in faith. Just what would your life be like if you had started your true faith, your personal walk with God, your close relationship with Jesus, and the constant company of the Holy Spirit in your early teens? How would it be different than it is now? What would God have used you for if you were listening to his voice way back then…? That is the legacy we should strive to leave for our kids. That is the legacy that will truly give them a life of peace, and joy, and happiness. That is THE LEGACY! It is the only one worth having. 21

The Legacy – a poem, a thought by Angela Hiskett Where is God in all of this? Look around at our world today. How much time do we spend with our Bibles? How much time to we spend with our phone? Which is more important? How much time to we spend with family? How much time do we spend in front of the TV? How many conversations do we have with our kids? How many conversations do they have with their friends? Who is the influence in their lives? Who is with them more? What is important to give our kids today? What kind of parent do we want them to be? What kind of legacy do we want them to have? Do we want them to be able search You-Tube, or do we want them to be able to use their Bibles, their very own Sword of the Spirit, their only weapon against Satan! You can’t throw an iPad at Satan. You can throw scripture at Satan, Jesus did! Where is God in all of this? FIND HIM! He is in your Bible. He is in the birdsong out your window. He is in the blessings of family that he has surrounded you with. He is in the trees swaying gently in the wind. He is in the snow sifting softly to the ground. He is in the love you feel for your kids. He is the bonding agent in your family! If he isn’t, he should be! He is the glue of life. He is our Savior. He is our ticket. He is our maker. He is our Father. He is our Redeemer. If he is not around you, seek him, find him, love him, and teach him! He is the legacy to drive all of our futures.

Thanksgiving Recipes from all around the Blogosphere by Vintage Mama In every issue of the Ruby for Women magazine, we search for the best seasonal recipes we can find all around the blogosphere, and Thanksgiving is one holiday that brings out the kitchen diva in all of us! From the traditional to the latest flavor combinations, we have gathered together a collection of Thanksgiving recipes from bloggers everywhere to help you prepare your family celebration. The internet is a wonderful thing! Thanks to all of the bloggers who have been so generous is sharing their creations and inspiration with us. Please visit them for even more delicious recipe ideas for Thanksgiving and for every season of the year.

Raisin Bread Pudding from the kitchen of Debra Ann Elliott This is a traditional Thanksgiving recipe that we used to make in our house when I was growing up. In the absence of storebought sweets, my Mama would take out a loaf of “day-old” bread (and save the fresh bread for toast and sandwiches!) and whip up a batch of bread pudding. Thanks to Ruby for Women contributor, Debra Ann Elliott, for sharing her recipe for Raisin Bread Pudding. What you need: • • • • • •

1 loaf raisin bread, cubed 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts-optional 1 1/2 cup eggnog 1 tablespoon Torani gingerbread flavored syrup 1 tablespoon Torani hazelnut flavored syrup Butter

Let’s make it! • • • •

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Grease baking dish with butter Combine all ingredients, mix well, spoon into baking dish. Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Spoon into desert dishes and drizzle with Torani gingerbread flavored syrup.

Stuffed Acorn Squash from the kitchen of Mavis at One Hundred Dollars a Month Here’s a recipe for squash that even the kids will love! It would be interesting to research the origin of the word “squash” because just the name of this wonderful vegetable seems to make kids tilt their head with that inquiring look in their eyes, and wrinkle up their little noses. Maybe if we called it something like, “Autumn Orange Pudding,” or “Yummy Yellow Dessert,” the kids would try it before deciding that they don’t like it. At our house, however, everyone LOVES squash and this particular recipe looks like the perfect accompaniment to our family Thanksgiving dinner. “Thank You” to Mavis at One Hundred Dollars a Month sharing this recipe with us. Please visit her at One Hundred Dollars a Month for more frugal family recipes for your family What you need: • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 acorn squash, halved lengthwise, seeds and pulp removed 1 apple, diced {I used Granny Smith} 1 small onion, minced 2 cups water 1 cup wild rice 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup fresh spinach, chopped 2 tablespoons butter 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme salt and pepper to taste

Let’s make it! • •

•

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place squash cut side down on a lined baking sheet. Bake acorn squash for 30 – 40 minutes until tender. While the squash is baking, in a large saucepan combine the rice, water, apple, butter, garlic, parsley, thyme, onion, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook rice for 20 minutes or until the water is all absorbed. Fold in spinach and cranberries. Place acorn squash on a platter, fill with rice mixture and spread extra rice around the bottom of the platter. 24

Cinnamon Candy Walnuts from the kitchen of Vintage Mama Adapted from a recipe found at Hungry Couple The delightful scent of cinnamon always evokes memories of holidays, home, and family. That is probably because it is during the holidays that many of our homes are filled with the joy of cooking and baking traditional dishes, and so many of our holiday recipes call for cinnamon, among other spices. Walnuts are also an important ingredient in many holiday recipes, so when we discovered this super simple recipe, we decided to give it a try and share it with all of our readers. Thanks to Anita at Hungry Couple for inspiration to experiment with a new recipe in the kitchen of Vintage Mama! What you need: • 2 cups of whole walnuts • 2 Tbsp. butter • 2 Tbsp. sugar • 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon • ½ tsp. vanilla • Pinch of salt Let’s make it! Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt butter in a small pan over low heat on the stove and add all but 1 tsp. the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Add ½ tsp. vanilla to melted butter. Add the walnuts to the melted butter / cinnamon-sugar / vanilla mixture and stir to mix well. Continue stirring the walnuts, over low heat, for one minute or until they are completely covered and all the sugar has dissolved. Place the walnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, in one layer, and sprinkle the remainder of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top. Add a tiny dash of salt. Place in pre-heated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss the walnuts with a spoon or spatula. Serve warm, or all to cool completely and use in salads, as dessert toppings, or as a yummy snack. These Cinnamon Candy Walnuts can be stored in an airtight jar, and make a fun and festive gift at the holidays in a pretty jar wrapped in a brightly colored ribbon. 25

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Adapted from a recipe found at The Corner Kitchen Over the years, every holiday when we are baking our traditional favorites, I’ve thought, “Why not just put all of these spices together in one jar and make my own pumpkin pie spice?” But, as the busyness of the holiday season would keep me moving from one project to the next at a rather rapid pace, I never actually got around to doing that. It seems so simple, quick, and easy that it makes me wonder why I didn’t just take a minute and dump all these spices together when I had them out of the cupboard! So, when I came across this recipe, I decided that this year I will finally do this! The trick (of course that is my excuse!) is that I never knew how much of each spice to put into a jar to make it “right.” This recipe gives the proportions of each spice so that we can increase it to whatever amount is needed and keep it all measured out perfectly for our holiday recipes. Once I saw how pretty this little concoction looks in a sparkly clear jar, all wrapped up in holiday ribbon, I decided that this would be a fun hostess gift to take to all those holiday parties that are on our calendar! What you need: • 4 Tbsp. cinnamon • 2 Tbsp. ground ginger • 2 tsp. nutmeg • 2 tsp. allspice • 1 ½ tsp. ground cloves Let’s make it! Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Store in a spice jar or in another small, air-tight container. Wrap a pretty ribbon around the jar and voila! You have a beautiful little gift for that special person who loves to cook and bake at the holidays! Makes approximately 8 – 9 Tbsp. and can be adjusted to make a larger batch if you are making it for gift-giving.

Forgiving Dad by Christie Browning If you know me or have been following my blog, you know that I recently announced my engagement to a wonderful man whom I love dearly. And . . . I am excited to announce that we are now married!

Christie with her dad and mom on the night of her high school graduation in 1995

Now I am the step-mom to my hubby's two kids - a son who is 12 and a 15-year-old daughter. Not having children of my own, I have enjoyed having these two great kids in my life.

If you are a parent, playing back some of your best known parenting moments are not the ones you are most proud of. Recently Mat, my fiancĂŠ', and I were discussing some ways to encourage and foster better relationships with the kiddos. Mat made the comment that he had failed at times in the past and when it came down to cultivating meaningful conversation with his children, he wasn't always there to make that happen. I tried to offer some encouraging words to assure him that both his son and daughter know how much he loves them, and although he may not have been a perfect dad, they love him as well. I reminded him that when the kids were young, he was too. As a young dad, he was bound to make mistakes while trying to learn the ins and outs of parenting. The conversation reminded me of my own dad. He, like Mat, spent the majority of his day earning a living to provide for our family. When he came home, he did his best to help me with homework, tackle the challenges in our family finances and support my mom in her management of the house. I am sure balancing his job and his family was incredibly difficult at times. As a young adult, I remember looking back at some of my childhood encounters with my dad. The times that he didn't always do things perfectly replayed in my mind and I remember being somewhat bitter that he wasn't always the soft and cuddly papa bear that I may have wanted at times.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember being a little hurt at the times he came down hard on me when I didn't give something my best effort or when I slacked off in my school work. I got a little angry when I thought about the times he was strict or what I thought was overbearing and controlling.â&#x20AC;?

I remember being a little hurt at the times he came down hard on me when I didn't give something my best effort or when I slacked off in my school work. I got a little angry when I thought about the times he was strict or what I thought was overbearing and controlling. 27

It wasn't too long after that retrospection that I fell into the deepest, darkest valley of my life. Do you know who was the first person on the scene to help me out of that valley? My dad. Although he wasn't perfect, he tried to do what was best. Although he wasn't always soft spoken or patient, he set an example of determination and discipline. Although he kept a tight rope on me as a teenager, I always had a safe place to land that was stable, dependable and loving without condition. It took a rough time in my life to see my dad as a human being who is not perfect, but who has a heart for his daughter. As I listened to Mat's heart and his past parenting decisions, it made me see my dad's heart and how he must have beat himself up just as much as Mat when reconsidering his moves as a dad. I think sometimes life's lessons are only learned with time and experience. For us kids, it takes growing up to realize that parents are human too, and that we can afford them the grace, forgiveness and love they need for doing the best they could.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think sometimes life's lessons are only learned with time and experience. For us kids, it takes growing up to realize that parents are human too, and that we can afford them the grace, forgiveness and love they need for doing the best they could.â&#x20AC;?

If you're a parent, trust that your loving words will overwrite the harsh ones. The times that you raised your voice will slowly fall dim compared to the times you laughed out loud. And more importantly, your true, good intentions will shine brighter than your imperfections.

Christie Browning is an award-winning writer with four Hoosier State Press Association Awards. She founded reVision, a personal and professional coaching company for women. Christie is newly married and resides in Northeast Indiana with her husband Mat.

Follow Christie on her blog, ReVision, and read her inspirational magazine, ReVision for Women, for more articles and posts on personal and professional growth.

Carol’s Book Club Book Reviews by Carol Peterson, Author

Chop, Chop by L.N. Cronk Recently our book club read L. N. Cronk’s Chop, Chop—the first in a series. We loved it so much that we also read the second book in the series and loved it, too. So when I posted a review of the books over at my writing website, Ms. Cronk found my review and wrote me a personal note about the writing of the series. Here’s what she had to say. “My husband’s 14-year old cousin, Daniel was diagnosed with terminal metastatic melanoma and given 6-9 months to live. Daniel decided to spend whatever time he had left, bringing as many people to Christ as he could and use what he was going through to glorify God. After he passed away, two of his friends spoke at his funeral and hundreds of people heard the message of salvation. After Daniel died, I wondered what it would be like for a young man to lose his best friend if both of them were strong Christians. Suddenly, the whole story for Chop, Chop flooded into my head. I started writing that evening. It felt like God was putting the ideas into my head, because I was writing things that made no sense to me at the time but which ultimately became essential elements of the story. Everything came to me so fast that I wrote seemingly non-stop and had the whole thing written in two months. One night I thanked God for giving me the Chop, Chop story. I told Him what a wonderful experience it had been and how much I would appreciate it if He would make that happen again. The next morning, I woke up with the first two sequels firmly in my head and I wrote each of those in two months, as well. This is just a glimpse of what God has done through the Chop, Chop series. I can’t express how much He has used this experience to change my life and bring me closer to Him. I just want to make sure everyone knows where all the credit for the stories goes!” The first book in the series, Chop, Chop is available from Ruby’s Reading Corner, or is available from Kindle as a free download. The other books in the Chop, Chop series are also now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. If you have read Chop, Chop or any of the books in the Chop, Chop series, click on the red button here and head over to Carol’s Book Club. Share your thoughts. What did you love about the book? What made you laugh? What made you cry? Which character did you most empathize with? 29

Crash the Chatterbox: Hearing God’s Voice Above All Others by Steven Furtick One morning I said “Amen” to my morning prayers and then proceeded to dwell on something from my past. A voice inside my head said, “Carol, you are an idiot!” Fortunately I had just begun to read Furtick’s book and knew Satan’s “chatterbox” was planting lies inside my head again. It was time to stop listening to the chatterbox and start listening to the Holy Spirit instead. That is the theme of Crash the Chatterbox. Furtick suggests that our negative talk is not only unhealthy and limiting but it is specifically not what Scripture tells us to do. He encourages us to focus on who God says He is, what God says He will do, what God says He has already done and what God says I can do. Although Crash the Chatterbox contained material that needs time to digest, Furtick’s writing style and friendly tone made the reading enjoyable. Our book club discussion was dynamic and enthusiastic. One gal pal called the book “life changing.” We all gave it a wholehearted “recommend.” Have you read Crash the Chatterbox? If so, head over to Carol’s Book Club and share your thoughts with other readers. What one point impacted you the most? How will you use Furtick’s suggestions to help silence the chatterbox in your head? Crash the Chatterbox is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. Both of these books were unanimous thumbs-up for our book club. Have you read either of them? Will you? Join our book club by clicking the big red button. Then share with us what you think.

Won’t you join us at Carol’s Book Club and read along? We would love to include you! Stop by Carol’s website at Carol Peterson, Author, and get reading! 30

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Ruby Writer Interview with Michelle Lazurek by Beth Brubaker Holiday greetings readers! Let’s get to know one of our very own writers - Michelle Lazurek: What inspired you to become a writer? At a women’s retreat in 2009, I felt God impress upon my heart to write a book. I had never written anything besides some poetry before that point, so being obedient to that call was overwhelming - and way beyond my comfort zone. I’m glad I answered that call; it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing for about five years now. What kind of difficulties have you experienced as a pastor’s wife, and how did you handle those difficulties? When you are in a position of power, there will always be people who try to take advantage of that power. It’s especially tough when you are in a place of spiritual power. The enemy will always seek to knock you down, using the same people who praise with you on a Sunday morning. Besides loneliness, that’s the hardest part about being a pastor’s wife- those within your congregation who stab you in the back because they don’t like how you do things. How do you balance being a wife and mother with all the other hats you wear? Because I write full time, I designate 7-8 hours a day to my writing. When the bus rounds the corner of our street, my work stops. I love my work, but my family comes first. I was called to be a wife and pastor’s wife before I became a writer. Although it’s tough sometimes, I try never to forget that. What are your favorite topics to talk about when speaking? I talk on an array of topics, including passing on a legacy of faith to the next generation, prayer, hospitality, simplified discipleship, leadership training and vision casting for your church or ministry. I see you also teach Bible studies. Do you teach adults or children, and what are your favorite Biblical lessons to teach? All of my writing, whether it is for children or adults, has some sort of Biblical lesson to it. But my heart is to teach adults. I want to see adults flourish in their spiritual walks so they can pass it on to the next generation. 33

Discipleship is a passion of yours. Can you share what someone should do if they want to help make disciples, but are “people-shy” or introverted? Discipleship is not as difficult as it may seem. I am a super shy person. But the best way I have found to fulfill my call to make disciples is to meet with two people on a weekly basis for one year. As trust and intimacy is built among us, I train and equip them with Biblical teaching and personal application. I then encourage them to meet with two people the following year and train them up so they are creating fruitful groups that multiply each year. What books have you published, and what books are hopefully coming out soon? My newest book The Ripple Effect is a step-by-step guide for young women to make disciples within their churches and is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. My first book Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved is a Bible study about the Apostle John. It allows the reader not only to share their own story but also become a part of the story God is writing for their lives, also available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. My e-book Everything I Learned about Writing I Learned from Rocky Balboa encourages writers with practical tips to keep writing even when things get tough, available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. I also contributed to two books: The cure for the Perfect Life and Miracles and Moments of Grace, both available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. I also have two children’s books: Daddy Am I Beautiful? and Mommy, Am I Strong?, as well as a contribution to a book from Thomas Nelson: 101 Tips for a Happy Marriage, all of which come out in 2015, as well as a couple of projects in the works. What do you enjoy doing to relax? I love reading, drinking Starbucks lattes, watching the Green Bay Packers on TV, taking walks, and spending time with my family. Please tell us about your family. I have been married to my wonderful husband Joe for fourteen years. I also have two children: Caleb (10) and Leah (8). Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Success is not about how many degrees on your wall, published books on your shelf or the money in your bank account—it is about being obedient to whatever God’s call is on your life. Thank you for being a part of the Ruby family, Michelle! Check out her website at www.michellelazurek.com, follow her on Twitter: @mslazurek and friend her on Facebook. 34

The Bough by Sharon L. Patterson I was a sapling and all I could see was viewed beneath your great budding bough that connected you and me. Your trunk was sturdy as decades it had grown long before my roots were ever planted. From you came the seed by which I had known a father who grafted me, by choice, into the family tree. You were always bigger than lifeâ&#x20AC;Ś A survivor among survivors from fires, loss, and domestic strife. Your arms were strong and steady in labor; your branches warmed my tender sprouts many a day, masking my thin willowy shoots. With your colored leaves in full seasonal display. my trunk now bulges to the size of yours when first we started, and it is evident from the brittleness of your bark that soon, we shall be parted. For your magnificent bough is now bending low, and mine is strong enough to temper support secured all this time by your tenacious hold on things wise and worthy of report. You are as yet the reigning matriarch who stands, though bent, in majestic swell in our shared ground of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s verdant park. Thank you, fair dame of ninety plus years for the time spent beneath your prudent watch. Your grace and steadfastness shine far beyond deathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence and tears.

Vibrant Youth Youth is a delightful state of mind, a crystal-clear freshness of the intellect, a glowing exuberance of feeling, a vibrant effervescence of the imagination, an efflorescence of the hidden springs of innate vigour and vitality, that bubbles up effluently to water the soul with life. Waves of divine optimism overpower our hearts with child-like wonder, extraordinary amazement at the joy and zest of life, the sheer beauty of it all, a kind of thrilling enthusiasm, that is purely indispensable, the spirit of youthfulness to vitalize the world. ÂŠ Miriam Jacob

Home by Donna B. Comeaux I never visited often and if it hadn't been for my grandmother's funeral, I'm not sure I'd go back. I remember the rush to buy something special. I hadn't bought new shoes or shopped for a new dress in years. What would I pack? Could I pack everything I needed in two small bags? Maybe I just needed one. Once inside the department stores, the adrenaline rush I experienced took me by surprise. I'd entered the store thinking my emotions were intact. I'd picked that particular day with care. But no matter how much care I exercised, it didn't do a bit of good. It was hard to make decisions. Should I buy a jacket and match it with a skirt I had in my closet? Or should I buy a suit? The shoes cost $89.99. Should I buy them? Do I leave in the morning? In the afternoon? Maybe mid-day. Three-thirty on a late Thursday afternoon, my tires rolled along asphalt down Highway 75. Hours later I merged onto I-10 and drove to Houston as if I'd done it a thousand times. Littered all along the highway from Ennis, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico was one oil refinery after another. Sulphur filled the air. The refineries lit up the dark sky and guided me to my hometown like a beacon in the night. The giant Sam Houston statue always served as my landmark. It signified I was close to a place I'd spent years trying to forget. Little did I know that I'd never forget the places I ate, the schools I attended, the bullying I experienced, or the love of my grandparents. When the time came, I picked up my two sons from the Houston airport the day before the funeral. Our hearts leaped for joy when we saw each other. We held each other tight, as though we hadn't seen each other in years. The circumstances which brought us together created an unbreakable bond, a soothing peace, an undisturbed oneness. My sons' support at a time like this was irreplaceable. They understood everything I didn't say. They never offered empty words, or pressed me to feel differently about the magnitude of my loss. We comforted each other with love and patience and constant prayers. I felt enormous relief when my children took over the driving duties. They drove to the coastline as if they had done it a thousand times, as if they had grown up in this part of the country. 37

In fact, they'd only visited my hometown a couple of times. But they remembered every story about every empty block now filled with tall grass, broken cement, and rutted tire marks. As always, we visited their ninety-year-old great-aunt on their father's side, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and headed to my grandparents' house. The family sold the house five or six years ago, but it always stood quietly in its proper place. It's a long narrow house painted white with medium gray trim with a silver-painted chain-link fence surrounding it. One side of the double-gate sagged. The front gate squealed. The grass had perfectly straight edges and an evenly cut lawn, ankledeep. My grandparents sometimes sat on the front porch after a long day of yard work. Their kids and grandkids, including me, ran around the house playing and yelling and teasing one another into submission. The porch was a place where you watched all the comings and goings of neighbors, strangers, and the "strangest." Some folks waved, keeping their stride in the direction of wherever they were headed. Others stopped, leaned on the fence, and talk endlessly, spilling a tidbit of gossip here and there. Some entered the squeaky gate and sat awhile, laughing over all their "remember whens," before finally drinking the last of their lemonade or iced tea or Kool-Aid and moving on. It's my recollection Granddaddy took that old porch out twice and built it up again, painting it in that same medium, steel Army-gray color. I meticulously watched him each time he sprayed his peach trees, always warning us to stay away so we wouldn't have an allergic reaction to the pesticide. I never could figure out how Granddaddy cut his hedges so straight. The tool he used looked like giant scissors to my young eyes. He'd snip and cut and pull and tug on those hedges until every leaf and branch was in its proper place. He even manicured the ditch to perfection.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I never could figure out how Granddaddy cut his hedges so straight. The tool he used looked like giant scissors to my young eyes. He'd snip and cut and pull and tug on those hedges until every leaf and branch was in its proper place. He even manicured the ditch to perfection.â&#x20AC;?

All my life I never saw a house on the block that was as well manicured as my grandparents' house. On previous visits, long after Granddaddy passed away, we'd stand on the sidewalk and I'd point to various windows and tell my children what we did in each room. To the far left was my grandparents' bedroom. The front door opened to a combined living room and bedroom where we slept as children.

To the right of the combined living room and bedroom was the kitchen. Farther right of it were rooms my grandmother sometimes rented to young families. These rooms included a living room, a second bedroom, along with a small kitchen and shared bath. Trying to come to peace with my grandmother's death, I couldn't wait to see the house. After our late lunch, an hour before the viewing, we headed for my grandparents' house so we'd go through the rituals of reliving my childhood. In my mind, I smelled the moth balls Grandmother used in her closets. I saw a back room filled with clothes she refused to give away. Though I knew it wasn't possible, I wanted to go inside and experience that dip in the floor right before you entered the kitchen. I also wanted to make a beeline for a second back room so I'd dig through thousands of black and white photographs and, in my mind, plead with Grandmother to let me take some of them home with me. Or perhaps I'd gawk at the whatnots on walls, or relieve my grandmother of the many antiques she had in the house. Of course, none of that was possible. Someone else owned the house now. When we finally rounded the corner, we sat unmoved, the car motor still running. No one exhaled. No one said a word. We dare not look at each other. It was as if someone had reached deep inside our souls and sucked the air right out of us. I wanted to cry, but couldn't. I wanted to express how I felt, but no words, no descriptions; no language adequately expressed my devastation. The house was gone! Our silence continued for what seemed like an eternity. I finally heard the car doors open and I watched as my two sons got out. As they approached the house, I surprisingly noticed the only thing left was the fence. It surrounded the lot in its truest form. The double-gate still sagged; its paint barely chipped. The front gate squealed, as it had done many years before, as my children opened and went through it. For the longest time, I couldn't move. I dare not think. My hands shook. My insides hopped around like mosquitoes looking for that perfect spot to bite and suck my blood. When I finally spoke, all I kept asking was, "What happened?" 39

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d grown up in that house. Love poured from our grandparents in that house. I learned how to sew in one of its rooms; learned to cook; played 45s in the living room and pantomimed the latest love songs until I hit every single note flawlessly. When we mustered enough courage, we asked my grandmother's best friend what happened. The house burned," her son said. "Owner set it afire on purpose because he couldn't get his asking price for it." I was sick. I couldn't stand. The man who bought my grandparents' house had no idea what he had done. He destroyed the last connection to my past. I remember thinking, "How could he?" Needless to say, this made my grief all the more unbearable. Long after my grandmother's funeral, the house became the central theme of my existence. I thought about it all the time. Then one day God helped me surrender. He took me on a journey and helped me recall Solomon's wisdom. "The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." 3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. 11 There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow." (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11) For many weeks, I cried as I thought about that vacant lot. I felt as though someone had taken a hammer and cracked my foundation. My grandmother was the last one in the family to go. No elders are left. She validated me. Whenever I'd talked to her, she took me back in time and rekindled my past, and gave me hope for the future.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For many weeks, I cried as I thought about that vacant lot. I felt as though someone had taken a hammer and cracked my foundation. My grandmother was the last one in the family to go. No elders are left. She validated me. Whenever I'd talked to her, she took me back in time and rekindled my past, and gave me hope for the future.â&#x20AC;?

The lot upon which that narrow white house stood is empty now. Nothing is left. Creaks and noises and smells can't be replicated, except in my mind. My point of reference has gone up in smoke. Why? Because of someone else's greed. But there's another reason my grandparents' house is gone. God shook my earthly tabernacle so I'd be reminded that above me is my permanent dwelling place. Heaven has more colors than the rainbow. Its floors, and God's throne, are made of sapphire. (Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:26) Every precious stone created by God will surround his kingdom. (Revelation 21:19) It has countless rooms. We won't concern ourselves with walls, tight spaces, or if we left our real estate in proper hands. God reminded me that the only thing that matters in this life is my service to him. Take Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 to heart. People come and go. Houses are bought and sold. No matter how much care you give to your earthly real estate, it will eventually be resold and have new owners. After we die, we'll only be remembered by the present generation, if at all. People will go about their lives as they have since the beginning of time. But God's word lives forever! Amen! My children took it upon themselves to shovel dirt in a box so I'd plant a flower or shrub as a keepsake. No one prodded them to do this. My heart screamed for joy over their compassion. In my mind, I can still see the two of them conspiring meticulously, dropping me off, then head to my grandparents' vacant lot to dig up a small portion of the land. It's a sobering thought to know all that time spent clinging to my grandparents' house was meaningless. My times there were wonderful. I'll forever cherish the memories, forever remember their love. But I have come to understand that as precious as that house was and is to me, it's just not my . . . Home. Donna B. Comeaux Freelance Writer, Poet, Novelist 41

Selfish Ambition A novel by Donna B. Comeaux

Shortly after Sherelle Lindsey transmits her dissertation to Journalism Department heads at the American University in Cairo (“AUC”), a bomb blasts through her classroom. When she awakes, she’s frantic to know who’s captured her. To her surprise, Army Special Forces and Major Laurence “Lennie” Williams are responsible for saving her. How does she thank this wounded soldier? Betrayal. Twisted by aspirations to become managing editor of a Washington, D.C. newspaper, Sherelle struggles to come clean. For Major Williams, rescuing someone from the throes of danger is not only his job, but the adrenaline rush he needs to survive his lonely life. When he’s wounded and loses his wings to this lovely beauty, it doesn’t take long to know he’s in love. Though Lennie can’t explain it, he unequivocally believes God has sent Sherelle to save him instead of the other way around. But can he convince her of that? Or has he misinterpreted God's plan? Simply put, Selfish Ambition is a young couple’s fight to find meaning in life. Selfish Ambition by Donna B. Comeaux will be available in eBook 42 format on the Ruby for Women blog December 1, 2014.

Celebrate Thanksgiving! Make your own set of adorable

Pretty Little Pumpkins from Vintage Mama’s Cottage

Since I have been refashioning and embellishing sweaters for a couple of years now to sell in my Etsy shop, these sweet little pumpkins seemed like the perfect project to decorate our home for Thanksgiving. Probably the best way to make this kind of craft project would be to use the pumpkins that you can buy at Hobby Lobby or even the Dollar Store, but since we already had a few real pumpkins on our porch that were just the right size, I decided to experiment with them. Of course, this batch of pretty pumpkins won’t last until next year, but I just had to see if I could use some of the sweater scraps that I’ve got stashed in my sewing room, and there just wasn’t time in my schedule to run into town to Hobby Lobby. Since there were several shades of orange in my stash, I decided to go with the peachy orange solid color sweater, along with a striped sweater fabric in autumn shades, and an ivory fabric with tiny gold flecks. Then I embellished them all with gold and green wired ribbon and a little sparkly butterfly that I spray painted gold and sprinkled with gold glitter. Now that I’ve figured out how to make these Pretty Pumpkins, I just might buy up a bunch of the plastic (or whatever they’re made of) pumpkins at the craft store next time I’m in town and save them for next year. 43

This would be a perfect project to do with kids, because it is so simple, inexpensive, and it’s almost impossible to make a mistake! These sweet pretty little pumpkins would be perfect on the mantle, as a table top display, or even along the top of your kitchen cupboards if you have a little shelf up there for pretty stuff.

What you need: * Several small pumpkins, either real or “pretend” from the local craft store * Sweater fabric scraps or old sweaters that you can cut up * Various ribbons and other embellishments including wired ribbon for the stems * Hot glue gun

Let’s make it! Step #1: Choose one small pumpkin and slide it into the sleeve of an old sweater just until the pumpkin is completely covered, leaving the bottom of the pumpkin showing through the opening in the cuff of the sweater sleeve. This will make a flat bottom so your pumpkin will sit straight on a table. Step #2: Cut off the sweater sleeve just above the stem of the pumpkin. Step #3: Wrap wired ribbon around the stem, enclosing the excess sweater fabric. Using the hot glue gun, securely glue the end of the ribbon so that it stays in place. Then place a drop of glue at the top of the pumpkin stem and close up the ribbon. Step #4: Embellish your pretty little pumpkin with glittery ribbon, vintage buttons, lace, yarn, or charms. For our pretty little pumpkins, we wrapped the stems with gold and green glittery wired ribbon on two of them, and a burlap wired ribbon on the other one.

Then, we cut the gold and green ribbon into diamond-shaped designs to use as leaves. We tied a length of both ribbons around one of the stems and just bent and shaped the ribbon to resemble leaves. Then, by cutting one length of the green wired ribbon the long way, we were able to wrap the ribbon around a pencil to create winding “tendrils” for one of our pumpkins. Finally, we added a little fabric and wire butterfly that we had sprayed with gold paint and sprinkled with gold glitter to one of the pumpkins (we bought the butterflies from the Dollar Store, three for $1.00). A vintage button was added to one of the pumpkins for a little oldfashioned charm.

We arranged our three pretty little pumpkins on our mantle on a gold tone silky cloth, with glittered leaves from our front yard scattered all around. Very pretty right next to the candle we made last week with the rest of the leaves! Find more fun craft projects and creative tutorials, at Vintage Mama’s Cottage!

Watch Those Calories! Letter Tile Scramble Puzzle by Beth Brubaker

Rearrange the tiles to find the hidden phrase. Answer key on page 96

Books are the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list! This Christmas, why not purchase all your books for gift giving from

Rubyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reading Corner Every purchase made through

Rubyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reading Corner helps support the ministry of Ruby for Women 46

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right by Marilynn Dawson

We teach it to our children, “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right”.

Even the One Who we are to be like, got angry while on this earth:

In Genesis 34 Jacob has met Esau with much trembling of heart as he fully expected his brother’s anger to burn hotter now than ever. In a rare case where time did heal the wound, Esau is not only so pleased to see Jacob that he cries on his shoulder, but offers to travel back with him to his home in Seir.

Mark 3:5 - And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, “Stretch forth thine hand.” And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Jacob gives the excuse of travelling with younger members of the group, and chooses to lag behind. As with his Grandfather Abraham, such dallying invariably leads to problems. Sure enough, he settles for a time in a city called Shalem and trouble finds him soon enough. Isn’t it amazing how when we procrastinate, when we put something off that we’ve intended to do, when we don’t immediately engage in the healthier action, that trouble tends to find us, too? Jacob’s sons have inherited the family trait known as deceit and they waste no time in acting on it when they learn of Hamor’s son, Shechem defiling their sister. Notice their response to the news: Genesis 34:7 - And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done. Where they wrong to be angry over their sister’s defilement??? Scripture actually says in Ephesians 4:26-27: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.

John 2:13-17 - And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” And his disciples remembered that it was written, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” Now if it was possible for Jesus Christ to walk this earth and display anger without sin, what does that say of Jacob’s sons in Genesis 34? Their anger, combined with the family trait of deceit, led to incredible shame for Jacob. Yes, Dina had been defiled, and it was right for her brothers to be angry, but how they handled their anger in dealing with her situation was what was wrong. Many teach that anger is wrong, but Scripture doesn’t say that. Many more verses could be quoted to show God’s anger over sin, Christ’s anger over refusal to understand or believe, and 47 many other examples in Scripture.

If it’s okay for God to be angry and do so without sinning, then with the Holy Spirit’s help, we too can be angry and use that anger for productive ends rather than sinful destructive ends. Just like any other emotion God created, anger is a tool, not a decision-maker. It is a response or reactionary feeling and as with all feelings, it must be dealt with objectively before someone gets hurt. Most times, when anger is not dealt with objectively, not only does the person it is aimed at get hurt, but the person experiencing the anger also gets hurt.

As in the case of Jacob’s family, the brothers’ actions didn’t just affect Shechem’s family and city, but it also affected their Father. There is room for righteous anger in the House of God. There is room for righteous anger among the Children of God. However, there is no room for sinful engagement as a result of that anger. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and when we deal with injustice in an equally wrongful manner, no one comes out the winner.

A Year in Prayer with Jesus by Marilynn Dawson The Lord’s Prayer like you’ve never read it before! “If the concept of being in prayer does not move a person to action in some way, then the relationship with God is mere talk, empty words." Author Marilynn Dawson has created a 365 day pattern of prayer with over 2,500 verses from the Bible, and equally as many prayer prompts. A Year in Prayer with Jesus is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. 48

He Stands Knocking by Lanette Kissel “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3: 20

Won’t you listen to the sound? Someone is knocking at your door. Are you too afraid to open it? Do you feel you need to know more? Is your curiosity building about the One standing on the other side? Shall you open the door to Him, or are you tempted to run and hide? Chorus: Don’t be afraid to open the door. You can be better than you were before. You can’t imagine the treasures He has in store - for you. He stands knocking. Yet He is so patient. He would never force His way in. It’s up to you to make the first move. Only then, can the relationship begin. It doesn’t matter what you have done… If in your past, you were running wild. He just wants to be your Father, and for you to become His child. Chorus: Don’t be afraid to open the door. You can be better than you were before. You can’t imagine the treasures He has in store…for you. He wants to be invited into your home to find a personal place to reside. He desires to share daily life with you, in your heart and soul to abide. He wants you to know His inner peace. You’re no longer the sinner you were before. He loves you and wants what’s best for you. He is your loving Father, and so much more. End Chorus: He stands knocking… If you decide to let Him in, You cannot lose, but only win.

A Letter to my Mother (a hypothetical letter from the womb from baby Jesus to his mother, Mary)

by Lanette Kissel Little handmaiden of the Lord, possessed of a soul quite rare, my young and frightened mother, so lovely, sweet, and fair. You wait with baited breath. You are nervously anticipating such things you cannot understand. Yet you are patiently waiting. I am whispering in your ear, the softest sound you’ve ever heard, from a mouth that’s not quite formed, and has never spoken a single word. You’re still a child yourself. Together we will learn and grow. Though my mission is to save the world, I will love you more than you’ll ever know. I can tell you feel it too, that dreaded, fearful sense of doom. The only time of peace I’ll know is the time I spend within your womb. You will be exhaling Heaven’s breath as you breathe life into Me. Your great contribution to this world, you will never fully see. The Father provides reassurance from without, while I render you comfort from within. Little handmaiden, your service to our Lord will help to save your world from sin.

50 (Originally published: Victory Herald May 2012)

Ask Beth by Beth Brubaker Dear Beth, I’m planning a holiday party. Since caterers aren’t in my budget, I want to cater it myself - but I have no idea how much food I’ll need. I want to enjoy my guests, so I don’t want to serve food all day either. Can you help me?

Party Planner in Pennsylvania

Dear Party, Once you know approximately how many guests you have, add ten to the number- just in case people bring unexpected friends. The worst that could happen is that you have extra food, and you won’t have to cook for a day or two! Sandwiches are the most popular food at a party. Let guests make their own - it saves you time. To make nice cold cut party platters, roll up each piece of lunchmeat into a large straw and layer them on a pretty platter. Stack them as high as you can, using the platter like a pie chart (if you have three different meats, divide the patter into thirds; if four meats, divide platter into quarters, etc.) Three meats are the standard, but you can get whatever you like- and remember to get mostly meats and cheeses you like- so you can eat the leftovers! Cheeses are on a separate platter; two or three kinds are the norm. This is not chunked cheese, but slices for sandwiches. Lay the slices out in a fan pattern on the platter so people can take one slice at a time. Use tongs for both meats and cheeses to keep things more sanitary. Don’t forget the condiments! Lettuce and spinach are good choices, as well as tomatoes, onions, pickles, and any of your favorite sandwich toppers. Also put out mustard, mayo, and other favorite spreads for your sandwich-loving friends and family. Use crock pots if you plan to have hot items like roast beef, meatballs, or soup- just remember that people will be sitting all over your house, eating and drinking- spills will happen, so if you cherish your light colored rugs, you might want to choose items with a cream sauce or clear broth instead. Side dishes can include salads like potato, pasta or greens. These are great fillers and if you have the time, taste much better than any store-bought premade salads (and less mayo too!) Snacks can be junk food, but it can also be freshly cut veggies and a light dip. Your dieting and gluten-free friends will love you for it! Cookies make great snacks for a party! You can also bake cobblers, cakes or pies as well, but this might be too time -consuming if you have a lot of guests. 51

Drinks can be simple as store-bought sodas or wines, but you can also make a homemade punch or flavored iced teas. Don’t forget to also have a jug of water handy! Keep ice used for cooling separate from ice used for drinking, and have a scoop or tongs available for quick and easy glass-filling. Many people have dietary restrictions or allergies- ask them beforehand so you can make sure they have something to eat and drink at the party. Now let’s talk amounts. Just how much food do you need per person? Here’s my list (per person): • • • • • • • • • • •

¼ lb. meat 1/8 lb. cheeses 1-1/2 rolls (some people will eat two sandwiches) ¼ lb. salad (veggies, pasta or greens) ¼ lb. veggies (for a veggie platter) One 15oz. bag per 10 people Chips/pretzels/snacks One gallon drink per 10 people One 2 liter bottle of soda per 5 people One bottle of wine per 10 people 4 cookies 1-1/2 pieces of cake/cobbler

A few more suggestions - have the hot food ready thirty minutes before the guests arrive and have it set up fifteen minutes before party time. Cold foods shouldn’t be put out until the very first guests arrive (especially if you know a lot of latecomers!) or you can set the bowls inside bigger bowls partially filled with ice to keep them cold fifteen minutes before everyone is supposed to arrive. I hope this helps, and have a great party!

Beth

Visit Beth Brubaker at her blog, Footprints in the Mud, to read her humorous and inspirational articles on family life, parenting, and her adventures as a Christian wife and mother.

December 1: Eat a Red Apple Day December 4: Santa’s List Day December 6: St. Nicholas Day December 6: Mitten Tree Day December 7: Pearl Harbor Day December 7: Letter Writing Day December 8: National Brownie Day December 9: Christmas Card Day December 11: National Noodle Ring Day December 12: Poinsettia Day December 13: Ice Cream Day December 13: Violin Day December 14: International Children’s Day December 15: Bill of Rights Day December 15: National Lemon Cupcake Day

December 17: National Maple Syrup Day December 18: Bake Cookies Day December 19: Look for an Evergreen Day December 19: Oatmeal Muffin Day December 20: Go Caroling Day December 21: Forefather’s Day December 21: Humbug Day December 22: Date Nut Bread Day December 24: Christmas Eve December 24: National Egg Nog Day December 25: CHRISTMAS DAY December 26: Boxing Day December 27: National Fruitcake Day December 28: Card Playing Day 53 December 31: New Year’s Eve

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PRAYER by Angela Hiskett â&#x20AC;&#x153;The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.â&#x20AC;? James 5:16 I lift my hands and heart and thoughts to you in complete prayer oh Lord. For I know that it is your will that I am serving, your love that enables me, and you grace that guides my steps. So I rejoice and lift my prayers to you with confidence and praise, and thanks! I love you merciful Lord! Amen.

A Season of Guinea Pigs by Jean Ann Williams Times grew lean for our family of five, and my husband and I didn’t see how we could provide the Christmas our children were accustomed to. We had inexpensive gift ideas for Jami, age ten, and Jason, nine, but we had no clue what to give fouryear-old Joshua. As the holiday season approached, my husband worked a temporary job three hours north of where we lived. The family that hired him was our relatives, and they invited us to spend Christmas with them. Our children became excited, as we counted off the days until they could see their cousins. One problem remained: what gift to give Joshua. Jami told me her idea, which seemed a bit of a responsibility, though, we decided Joshua would be thrilled. The weekend before Christmas, our family piled into the car and drove to the city. While the older children kept Joshua busy at the other end of the store, my husband and I picked out two furry pets. That night after Joshua fell asleep, Jami asked, “Daddy, how are we going to carry the guinea pigs in the car so Joshua doesn’t see them?” I said, “Or he doesn’t hear them.” Everyone stared at the closed laundry room door. The two guinea pigs released their stored energy, racing in their box and squeaking to high heaven. His face lit up. “We’ll put them in the trunk.”

“But, Daddy,” Jason said, “will they get air in there?” My husband patted him. “Don’t worry, son, we’ll stop a few times and open the trunk.” Jami’s eyes grew large. “What if Joshua sees them?” I reassured Jami. “I’ll keep Joshua occupied, and you guys check on the guinea pigs.” When the day came to drive north, we packed the car. As I kept Joshua busy, my husband carried the guinea pig box and placed it in the trunk. I saw the concern on my family’s faces that Joshua might hear them during the trip. Jason and Jami agreed to act like they didn’t hear a thing if the pets became too loud. Once we arrived to our relatives’ home, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, we made it without a squeak,” I said. My two older children’s faces glowed. Our relatives knew we had bought the guinea pigs and said we could keep them in the basement of the bedroom closet. The recreation room with pool table was on the far side, and Joshua would not be able to hear them. I checked on the little pets before retiring for the night and imagined the look on Joshua’s face when he opened his present. In my heart, I felt sure our tight budget had produced 55 the best gift ever for our youngest child.

On Christmas morning, after everyone opened presents, my husband went downstairs and fetched the box. Everyone stared at the gift coming toward them, except for Joshua. He sat crosslegged by the tree, making motor noises as he played with his new toy cars. Smiles stretched across our faces, when Joshua’s daddy said, “We have one more gift, Joshua. Do you want to guess who it’s for?”

On a snowy January morning, Jami squealed, and yelled, “Mom, mom, come see the guinea pigs.” I ran from my bed-making job and stood over the box. I gasped. “There are five of them?” Jami clapped her hands and ran into Joshua’s bedroom. “Wake up, Joshua, your piggies had three babies.”

He pointed at his brother. “Jason.”

Jason beat Joshua to the box. “I guess we got a boy and a girl, huh?”

My husband laid the box at Joshua’s feet. “No. It’s for you, Son.”

Joshua peered in with a sleepy grin. He looked at me with question marks dancing in his eyes.

Joshua’s eyes grew big as marble shooters and just as brilliant. “What is it, Daddy?”

“Mama? How did we get five?”

All of us sang, “Open it, open it!”

I knelt beside him and hugged him to me. “Honey, we got a boy and a girl, instead of two girls. Now they are a mommy and a daddy.”

Joshua ripped apart the candy cane designed paper and looked inside. He sucked in his breath, and his face softened. “Ahhh,” he said.

He said, “Can I hold a baby?” Jami interrupted. “Not, yet, they’re too small.”

His daddy said, “Sit down, and you can hold one.” Joshua smothered his face into the guinea pig fur. “He’s so cute, Mama.” “They’re girls,” I corrected.

“That’s right, Joshua,” I said, “let’s leave them alone. We don’t want to upset the mama.” His next words made us laugh. “Do the babies drink their mama’s milk like I use to drink your milk?”

My aunt asked, “Both of them?” “Yes, Son.” “Oh, yes,” I said, “two guinea pigs are enough.” She nodded. “Smart idea.” The guinea pigs became the highlight of the day, with the cousins taking turns playing with them.

He pursed his lips and smiled. After the older children left for school that day, Joshua and I got a bigger box fixed up for the furry family of five.

Once we were home and settled with our new family members, Jami taught Joshua how to care for his “piggies” as he called them. He did a wonderful job of feeding them, cleaning their box, and changing out their water.

When we walked by and looked in on the guinea pigs, they’d squeak. I’d also find Joshua sitting next to the box and talking to them as though they were people.

For the next few weeks, Jami made a habit of checking on the guinea pigs each morning before she left for school. She would hold each one and talk to them like they were her own.

At one point, I smiled down at my son. We purchased two pets for Joshua from what little we had, and God gave the increase. 56

Christmas Recipes to Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Family Celebration from Vintage Mama’s Cottage Even as the years come and go, and the holidays become treasures memories, there are some things that just never change. In our family, there are traditions and recipes that have become a part of every Christmas season. There are new versions of old recipes, and sometimes we experiment with a brand new recipe, but there is just something about looking forward to the special holiday traditions every year. Here are a few of our favorites (some with a new twist!), as well as a few new recipes that we’re going to try here at Vintage Mama’s Cottage. I hope you will find something here that you can share with your family and friends this holiday season!

Red Velvet Cake This is one recipe that I’ve had in my recipe box for . . . . well, more years than I want to admit! The recipe card is stained with drops of vanilla and drips of food coloring, and it has turned a beautiful vintage shade of brown from all the years of taking it in and out of that old wooden box. The corners are tattered and torn, but every year (even for birthdays!) this is one of our favorites. It is such a beautiful dessert, that it would make the perfect centerpiece for the dessert table for your family holiday gatherings. What you need: • • • • • • • • • • •

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons regular or Dutch-processed cocoa powder 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar 1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting: • • • • •

1 - 8 ounce (cream cheese, room temperature 1 - 8 ounce tub of Mascarpone cheese, room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup confectioners' (icing or powdered) sugar, sifted 1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream (double cream) (35-40% butterfat) 57

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s make it! Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter two - 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pans and line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper. Set aside. In a mixing bowl sift together the flour, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside. In bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until soft (about 1-2 minutes). Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined. In a measuring cup whisk the buttermilk with the red food coloring. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. In a small cup combine the vinegar and baking soda. Allow the mixture to fizz and then quickly fold into the cake batter. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 - 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Place a wire rack on top of the cake pan and invert, lifting off the pan. Once the cakes have completely cooled, wrap in plastic and place the cake layers in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or overnight). (This is done to make filling and frosting the cakes easier.) Cream Cheese Frosting: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar and beat until smooth. Using the whisk attachment, gradually add the heavy cream* (See Note) and whip until the frosting is thick enough to spread. Add more sugar or cream as needed to get the right consistency. Assemble: With a serrated knife, cut each cake layer in half, horizontally. You will now have four cake layers. Place one of the cake layers, top of the cake facing down, onto your serving platter. Spread the cake layer with a layer of frosting. Place another layer of cake on top of the frosting and continue to frost and stack the cake layers. Frost the top and sides of the cake. Garnish the cake with sweetened or unsweetened coconut (optional). Serves 10 - 12 people. Note: You must use a brand of heavy cream that whips very easily to stiff peaks. If you are using a brand of heavy cream that does not whip easily to stiff peaks then whip the heavy cream separately to stiff peaks and then fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Find more Christmas recipes from the Joy of Baking. 58

A Wonderful Life by Maxine Young My very favorite movie, holiday or otherwise is It’s a Wonderful Life. By today's standards the movie seems outdated and perhaps there are those that would contend that it is out of touch with reality, but I can't help but see the importance of the movie's message in times like these. The story of It’s a wonderful life is simple. In case you have never seen it before, allow me to let you in on the basic premise. George Bailey runs into a dire predicament due to the spite and jealousy of another. Seemingly with nowhere to turn, he makes a fateful wish that he had never been born. Due to the kindness of his guardian angel, he is able to experience what life would’ve been like had he not been born.

And as if God coming down to Earth and sacrificing Himself so we could have a chance at life weren't enough, as an added bonus, we are sometimes put in the position to be a blessing to others. I believe that if we understood the number of lives we are able to touch each day, and truly think about the number of people who touch our lives day in and day out; we would be astounded. Sometimes, especially in the hustle and bustle of such a busy season, if we even hold one significant and meaningful conversation - it would be a lot. We rush by many things we should have noticed.

He is stunned to find out that the lives of a whole town – hundreds of people were affected, because of his absence. It is only then he realizes that even with the trouble he was in, he truly did have a wonderful life.

We miss our opportunities to be a blessing - and to be blessed. Can you imagine what would happen if we took each opportunity to bless or caught each blessing that was lobbed our way...could you imagine what that day would be like? You'd never want it to end!

Do you ever have George Bailey moments? A time when you feel so insignificant, you wonder if you are invisible. Perhaps something in life has gone terribly awry and you muse over how much better life would be without you - perhaps life is just tough and you would love nothing more than to throw in the towel - just give up altogether.

Tough times might not seem so overwhelming, enormous tasks would not seem so insurmountable, and we'd just know we would be able to make it over those final hurdles. We would not have lost sight of our hope. We would know there is both hope and help to make it through those times.

As someone who has visited these places, I return to encourage you - to pack your bags, and return to your wonderful life.

As a new year approaches, I challenge each of us to slow down and recognize all of the ways in which we could be a blessing as well as the ways in which we are being blessed.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we didn't have the coming of a Savior to celebrate? We would be completely lost.

Take a look around you and take stock of your 59 blessings. You too may realize what a wonderful life you have.

Down the Lane Word Scramble Puzzle by Beth Brubaker By changing one letter each time, change one word into another. Example: cat ____ ____ dog

cat cot dot dog

Sing His Praises! sing ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ loud Answer key on page 99

Telling the Story of Christmas: The History of Advent Calendars Christmas traditions are an important part of every familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holiday celebrations. Some families decorate their Christmas tree early, perhaps on the weekend after Thanksgiving, while others make tree trimming a part of their Christmas Eve celebration. Baking and decorating gingerbread houses is another tradition that is important to some families; stockings filled with tiny toys and special treats are hung from fireplace mantels in some homes; and that angel on the top of the Christmas tree has become shabby and tattered from the many years of being placed gently tree, sometimes by the youngest child in the family. Another tradition that has returned to prominence in recent years is the Advent calendar. Traditional Christmas scenes, including the Nativity scene as well as Santa and his reindeer, dominate the imagery of the holidays on many Advent calendars. But more and more, each Christmas season that comes around, there are new visions and versions of the traditional Advent calendar. The origin of the Advent calendar, like so many of our Christmas traditions, began in Germany in the 19th century. Different methods of counting down the days to the celebration of Christmas were used. One of the earliest methods used was simply drawing a chalk line to mark off each of the days to Christmas. Later, lighting a candle every night, or hanging small religious pictures each day until Christmas were part of the holiday traditions in many European homes. The first printed Advent calendar was produced by Gerhard Lang in Germany in 1908. When he was a child, his mother attached little candies to a piece of cardboard and each day Gerhard would take one off. His first (printed) calendar consisted of miniature colored pictures that would be attached to a piece of cardboard each day in December. Later Advent calendars were made with little doors to open on each day. The child might find a small piece of candy, a Christmas picture, a religious picture or a Bible verse. The first Advent calendars were based on 24 days with Christmas Eve as the last night to put up a picture or take a candy. Today, the traditional German calendars still show 24 days, but in the United States, it's not uncommon to find ones with 25 days -- the last opening to occur on Christmas Day. 61

The German calendars were sold until World War II, at which time production was stopped due to the war shortages. After the war, production of Advent calendars resumed in 1946 by Richard Selmer. Selmer credits President Eisenhower with helping the tradition grow in the United States during his term of office. A newspaper article at the time showed the Eisenhower grandchildren with The Little Town Advent calendar. His company still produces calendars today and can be ordered online. Advent Calendars can be found everywhere Christmas is celebrated and have been made with many different themes. There are permanent ones with little drawers that are opened every day, felt pieces to decorate a tree, religious icons behind the different doors and lots of pop-culture/character Advent calendars. The traditional ones are still made of paper or cardboard with a small treasure behind the doors. The treasures can range from a beautiful miniature religious picture, perhaps a little wooden toy or even a piece of candy (sure to cause problems when there is more than one child in the household!). Some form of the Advent Calendar has been used for more than 150 years and becomes increasingly popular every year. From traditional calendar to calendars that feature popular collectibles and themes, there is a calendar for everyone. It's not too late to start a tradition like this for your family, one that will become a real treasure in the years to come. For more information on the history of Advent calendars, please visit History of the Advent Calendar.

Make Your Own

Advent Calendar Share the tradition with your family! There are so many creative ideas for making your own Advent calendar that are easily available online. We have gathered a selection for you, with links back to all of the websites and complete instructions so that you can choose your favorite. We hope that you will begin your own tradition for sharing an Advent calendar with your family.

Advent Calendar of Service from The Neighborhood This Advent calendar is beautiful in its simplicity. You can find a printable Advent calendar on The Neighborhood website which features simple acts of service for 25 days in December. Donating to a homeless shelter, holding a door open for someone, reconnecting with an old friend, or other small acts of service, there are countless ways to make a difference in our communities and in our family. No matter how small, every act of kindness and service counts! Please visit The Neighborhood for complete instructions and a printable version of this Advent Calendar of Service.

Paper Pockets Advent Calendar from Megan at Honey We’re Home What a charming little holiday calendar! Made from poster board, craft and scrapbook paper, stickers, tags, and ribbon, this would be a fun project to do with the kids and get them involved in creating their own advent calendar. Bright and cheerful, each pocket has a tiny tag tucked inside with a variety of messages for each day of our countdown to Christmas. Ideas are included on the website of Honey We’re Home for writing on the tags. Some of the suggestions include making a Christmas ornament, cutting paper snowflakes, coloring a Christmas card for family members, watch a Christmas moving, and drive around the neighborhood and look at the beautiful Christmas lights. Complete instructions can be found for making this beautiful Advent calendar on Megan’s blog at Honey We’re Home. 63

Gold and White Advent Calendar by Emily at the Imperfect Blog Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a more modern version of the Advent calendar, featuring white tags on a pin board and a tiny ornament for each day of the countdown. Instead of chocolate, or little notes, or small toys for each day of Advent, this calendar has a new ornament to put on the Christmas tree each day while you are waiting. What a fun tradition for your family! And it is a beautiful addition to your holiday home dĂŠcor. Please visit Emily at the Imperfect Blog for more holiday inspiration and creative ideas.

Beautiful Boxes Advent Calendar from Rachel at Adventures of a DIY Mom Free paint sticks were used to create the frame for this adorable Advent calendar, and the boxes were made from scrapbook paper (or card stock). Each box is created to fit inside each of the 25 openings, and then filled with a tiny toy or candy for each day of the countdown. For complete instructions, please visit Rachel at Adventures of a DIY Mom.

Matchbox Advent Calendar Chest by Laura at Artfully Musing For those who want to create an Advent calendar that is not only exquisite but also a keepsake for the family, here is the Matchbox Advent Calendar Chest. Created from foam board, the chest has been embellished with beads and baubles, and has little drawers for each of the 25 days of the countdown to Christmas. The complete tutorial for making is gorgeous Advent calendar matchbox chest can be found at Artfully Musing. 64

Chief: the Dog Who Remodeled My Garage and My Heart by Sharon L. Patterson My mouth hung open as I looked at the mouth directly in front of me. Astonishment was so great; words fail me even now to describe my feelings then. Splintered pieces of what was once the facing to the door leading from the garage to my kitchen protruded from both sides of Chief’s mouth. My mind wandered back to the conversation with my youngest son on the phone earlier that day. He was home for a couple of weeks from his third deployment. We were celebrating an early Christmas and had gathered all our clan together to go out to dinner. “Mom, we are going to bring Chief with us when we come for dinner tonight. Is that ok? I know you don’t want him to stay in the house, but we bought a special cage for him to stay in while we are gone to dinner.”

“Chief had already moved up the ladder from pet to the thirteenth member of our family. What he brought to my war-weary son and his family in the few short weeks since wandering off the street into their house was undeniable. He brought a peace that is very hard to explain but very plain to see.”

I said “yes” because Chief had already moved up the ladder from pet to the thirteenth member of our family. What he brought to my war-weary son and his family in the few short weeks since wandering off the street into their house was undeniable. He brought a peace that is very hard to explain but very plain to see. I did not expect to have such an early emotional attachment to Chief since it had been so many years since I had a dog. I have been close to three in my life. When I was six, mother had to call the dog catcher because our beloved Heinze-57 family dog ‘Dub’ had snapped at her repeatedly. I sat across the street at the neighbor’s bawling as I watched the man chase Dub all over the yard for well over a half hour. To me it was an eternity and the pain insurmountable to my six year old heart as Dub was taken away. The next dog came into my life when I was 14…a beagle named Chip. He remained part of the family long after I married and moved away from home. His heart merely gave way with age. Muffin, a bun dle of fluff was the third dog that entered my life when my oldest son was 17 months old. He snapped at him one day and my husband felt he needed to be returned to the owner who gave him to us. With that final blow, I truly thought my pet days were over. But Chief decided my heart needed remodeling. He roamed out of the blue into my daughter-in-law’s neighborhood. A friend of hers who helps to find homes for strays gave her a call to see if she might come take a look at this blond and white colored husky-type dog that had been seen around the neighborhood. She and my grandson popped over to see the dog. The two of them took65to the wanderer quickly. She tenuously agreed to try him out for a few days but knew any final decision would need to be discussed with her husband, my son.

She called to tell me the news. I could tell immediately she was excited. My grandson wanted to call him “Rosie”, but fearing gender shock, she convinced him to wait until they talked to daddy so he could be in on the naming. “How about Chief?” said my Chief Warrant Officer Son long distance from Afghanistan. He had not met him yet but there was already a bond. The name was an instant hit. Chief’s adjustment from neighborhood wanderer to household dog had a few tests to overcome in a very short frame of time before my son would fly home. Chief liked to roam and was quite an escape artist. He got out of the fenced back yard twice. My phone rang: “Please pray that we find Chief.” Of course that is exactly what I did. They found him. My husband went over to help my daughter-in-law escape-proof the fence. No more escapes. However, Chief experienced some anxiety when my daughter-in-law had to be gone to work. She returned home to find he had eaten an entire window sill. She had it repaired and told my son about it after she had it fixed. Even before my son came home, we already had history with Chief. Stories of his mischief were part of daily phone calls. His eating habits that included wood parts began to normalize to regular dog food. (Or so we thought) The next test would be the alpha male thing when my son arrived for his R&R. That was when Chief really began working on my heart. From their first moments in the same room, my son and Chief bonded. I watched stress drain from my son’s face…this son who had been to war three times. I knew when they brought him to our house, he could come in. Once the astonishment of the first view of my garage subsided, I looked down at Chief, took the splinters from his mouth and said, “If I didn’t love you already, you would be toast.” A few moments later, the rest of the family pulled in the driveway. They looked at the garage…at Chief…and me not knowing what to expect. Everyone knows Grannah is a stickler about the house. I heard, “Oh no!” followed by a few gasps, a chuckle and a quick assessment from my sons who said, “Oh, we will fix this!” They left immediately for Home Depot to buy some special epoxy to recreate the missing piece of door facing and glue to reattach torn weather insulation. The daughter-in-laws, our three sons, all five grandchildren and my husband wondered what fate lay ahead for Chief. That night, he did not stay in the dog cage purchased for this occasion, but at the foot of the bed of my son and daughter-in-law.

“That was when Chief really began working on my heart. From their first moments in the same room, my son and Chief bonded. I watched stress drain from my son’s face…this son who had been to war three times. I knew when they brought him to our house, he could come in.”

No longer would I hold loving another dog in my life at a safe distance, across a street, or in a special case in the garage. He had immediate access into my home. You see, Chief not only remodeled my garage - he remodeled my heart.

Carolling the King by Keith Wallis The world is decorated for the coming of the King. In mourning white for those who cannot care or glistening bright for those who know Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there. Herald of the season, early morning frost, bedecks the nakedness of trees, settles on the lost. And in the gloss of sunshine, diamonds drip on passers-by, unwary of the wonder with presents still to buy. Yet all creation shouts and sings carolling the King of kings spreading a white carpet where red ought to be. A harmony of monochrome for those with eyes to see.

Incarnate Nativity by Keith Wallis From bright eternityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s embrace alpha and omega paced entombed in nine months dark and pulse the seed of God implanted. Within the walls of motherhood grown from everything of nothingness, cells inside a fleshy cell a universe within. In such darkness this light grows not to angel choir but hearty throb muscle, sinew, bone enclothe this everything from nothingness. In darkness, pain and stench of beasts, the child becomes the King of feasts rich in poverty and poor in riches and doomed as doom this is to live, to die, to live again. Incarnate nativity and reign. 68

The Odd Sock by Ruth O’Neil This past Christmas was the last of its kind in our household. This spring my oldest daughter got married and moved away. So next Christmas we will not have lost a daughter, but we will have gained a son. My middle daughter left her teenage years behind when she turned 20. She also left her first job for another that will hopefully end up being a career. My 14-year-old son grew an exorbitant amount in a short period of time reaching almost 6 feet tall. He is no longer the chubby, cuddly little boy who wants to sit on the couch with me, the quilt, and the book. All of those things really made this a time of reflection for me. It doesn’t seem that long ago that our children were little and could not wait to open their presents on Christmas morning. They would try to stay up late on Christmas Eve, barely take a couple hours to sleep, and then they would be up again, jumping on our bed, trying to wake us so they could open their presents. Or it was more often the case, my husband jumping on their beds trying to wake them up because he was anxious for them to open the presents we had picked for them. It’s amazing how fast little kids grow up. It literally seems like one day they’re toddling around the house and you’re chasing after them, and then the next day they’ve taken keys to the car and are on their way to college, off to a life of their own. I have a little gift from my mother that helps me know that she felt the same way. While I was growing up we always had an odd sock bag. With four kids in the house there always was a plethora of lost mates. But it was in that odd sock bag my mom found a treasure and passed it along to me.

The first Christmas after my husband and I were married my mother sent us a box of ornaments early in December with which we could decorate our very first tree. Inside that box was a little red stocking that she had stuffed with a little bit of cotton and a tiny perfume box to give it shape. She then added a ribbon string with which to hang it on the tree. Inside the box of ornaments she included a note telling me that this tiny red sock had been in the odd sock bag for years and years and now it was time for it to find a new use. It had once been mine and had once kept my feet warm until it had no longer had a mate. It may seem silly to some, but that little stocking holds a special place in my heart and connects me to my mother who is no longer here. And as I hang stockings on my tree this year I will think of my own little girl, who is no longer little but is now away. In reality it may not be long until she has her own little feet pattering around her house with one sock on and one sock off. I look forward to that day. So, if you still have young children running around your house anxious for Christmas morning, soak in every moment because they are fleeting. Don’t fill up your Christmas day with one activity after another. Don’t be afraid to schedule extended family Christmas dinners, parties, gift exchanges on days other than the 25th. Enjoy one entire Christmas day at home with just those who live in your household, sitting around in jammies all day delighting in the gifts that were given. Life is so short. Appreciate every Christmas day 69 with your children.

Footprints in the Mud Blue Cookies by Beth Brubaker Christmas in our house means baking cookies - a lot of cookies. Not just one type either- we usually make at least three different kinds, and usually dozens of dozens of each. The last Christmas baking marathon yielded over one-thousand cookies, three different assortments filling six five-gallon buckets. And yes, we used them as gifts for Christmas. One particular year I’d made spritzes - a soft-dough cookie that can be pressed out of a cookie gun into different shapes. I chose three shapes and three colors; red poinsettias, green Christmas trees, and blue flowers. I used concentrated food color paste to make them really vibrant and festive. They baked beautifully and were a highlight in the goody baskets I made. We visited my brother with goody basket in hand, and my two-year old niece went nuts over the blue cookies. She kept shouting “Boo cookie! Boo cookie, Mom!” to my sister-in-law, who happily indulged her. I went home satisfied that my gift basket was a good one. Two days later, I got a call from my brother. “Remember those cookies my daughter ate? The blue ones?” he asked. “I sure do,” I replied. “Did she eat them all? Want me to bring some more?” “No,” he said. “Don’t ever make those cookies for us again.” I was surprised. “Why? Is she okay?” “She is fine. I’m the one who’s not. Have you ever seen blue baby poop?” Oh dear. Apparently concentrated blue food coloring colors everything. I’m just glad she didn’t like the green or the red ones, or I might have been in trouble. Before I could apologize, he continued. “Just do me a favor- don’t make those cookies for us anymore- okay? That experience was not fun.” Being the dear, loving sibling that I am, when next year’s holiday visit came I brought another basket of cookies- and this time I’d made sure they were all blue. I’m such a good sister!

Kingdom Priorities in the Christmas Story by Miriam Jacob

Christ is God's gift to us at Christmas. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Jesus was carried in Mary's womb and was born as a helpless baby. God personally supervised every single detail of His birth. Christ's birth was a reflection of God's character that expresses compassion and exalts humility. God chose simple and humble people to be the earthly parents of his son. Both Mary and Joseph had great sanctity of character.

Though troubled at first at the announcement of the angel, Mary submitted obediently to the will of God. She was aware of the risk that she was taking. But she said "Yes" to God. She agreed to take up the divine assignment. Doing God's will was the top priority in her life. Nothing else mattered. When Mary submitted to God's will, she had to endure much pain. In the ninth month of her pregnancy, Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a donkey to be registered in the national census of the whole Roman Empire. When the time came for her to give birth, there was no room for them to stay in the inn. She had to deliver her baby in a stable. There, in the most humble and lowly of places, Mary gave birth to her firstborn. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. The Magnificat, Mary's hymn of praise glorifies God for what He has done, and what He is about to do.

They submitted to the will of God. They obeyed God selflessly and wholeheartedly. Both of them persevered against all odds and endured great hardship and difficulty to fulfil the solemn responsibility of bringing the Son of God into the world.

She glorifies the Lord in magnifying His goodness and love. It portrays the essential link between humility and holiness.

Mary was the humble recipient of God's favor. God partnered with her in an unprecedented act of creation, unique in the history of mankind. It was a rare honor of unparalleled distinction, never bestowed upon anyone else. The Bible says that Mary was a chaste virgin. God holds purity in high esteem because He is pure and holy.

“God regarded the lowliness of His handmaid and did great things for Mary in making her the mother of God's Son, and He put down the mighty from their thrones with His own might and exalted the lowly.”

God regarded the lowliness of His handmaid and did great things for Mary in making her the mother of God's Son, and He put down the mighty from their thrones with His own might and exalted the lowly. Joseph was a just and upright man. He was confronted with a terrible crisis and unimaginable dilemma. Imagine his utter shock and great distress on hearing that his fiance is pregnant.

That is why God entrusted him with the grandest responsibility that a man could ever have, to be the foster father of the incarnate Son of God. Not a single word of his is recorded in the Gospels. Though he gently fades into the background, his attitudes and actions speak volumes of his sterling character.

God gave him a surprise, one that would shake the core of his very being. Joseph sacrificed his interests for the work of God to be fulfilled through him. He was far more concerned about Mary's reputation than about the deep, personal hurt he had to endure on account of the virgin birth. The exemplary way in which Joseph treated Mary, in the most trying and difficult circumstances, clearly indicates his kind and gentle nature. Only under the deepest scrutiny of the most severe stresses and strains of life does the true character of a man emerge. Joseph did not fail his greatest test. He believed God against all odds.

The Christmas event bears witness to the inversion of worldly values that characterize God's Kingdom, a kingdom where greatness is measured in terms of obedience, self-denial and humility.

Christmas is often a time where we feel overwhelmed, overworked, and underpaid. These feelings do not allow us to enjoy the true meaning and celebration of Christmas. Take a few moments of your day to read “Christmas at Martha’s House.” I guarantee you will laugh, probably recognizing your own family in the story. Get it now for only ¢.99! “Christmas at Martha’s House” is now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner.

Kids’ Korner with Carol Peterson, Author Join us here at Ruby for Women as author Carol Peterson takes us on a fun-filled adventure to learn about great new books to read and activities to inspire creativity and a love of reading. This month we have a book review of The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood, Author, and Renata Liwska, Illustrator. Even though my kids are old enough to have kids of their own, every year I still drag out the same Christmas books they loved when they were little. Because they still love them. And so do I. One of the books that fit into the category of “keep forever and pull out each year” is Deborah Underwood’s Christmas Quiet Book. Underwood’s brilliant understated text and Renata Liwska’s soft pencil illustrations make this picture book for young children the perfect book to read while snuggled in bed or next to the stockings hung by the chimney with care. Underwood explores the various types of “quiet” children find at Christmastime, from “searching for presents quiet” to “knocking with mittens quiet” and “snow fall quiet.” The book is delightful for both children and the adults who love them. Underwood and Liwska teamed up for the first The Quiet Book and The Loud Book! with equal delight. The Christmas Quiet Book was published by HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012. All three books in this series are now available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. HMH has created several fun activities that go with The Christmas Quiet Book. You can find The Christmas Quiet Book Activity Kit on the Scribd website. Carol Peterson writes to educate, entertain and inspire. Her books for the classroom (grades 4-7), supplement curriculum—math, social studies, history and science. Available on Amazon.com or ABC-CLIO.com and from Ruby’s Reading Corner.

Carol also writes a With Faith like Hers Bible study series. When we understand the ways in which our character or circumstances are similar to women in Scripture, we get a glimpse of how God might see us as He saw His daughters of old. Available are I am Eve, I am Esther and I am Ruth. I am Mary will be released winter 2014 for a Christmas study of Jesus’ mother. From Honor Bound Books and available at Amazon.com as well as from Ruby’s Reading Corner. Carol is a member of the Ruby Blogger Team, and she can also be found at www.carolpetersonauthor.com

“Who Is…” by Sharon L. Patterson Who is the Baby…who is the King? Who is the King…who is the Shepherd? Who is the Shepherd…who is the Lamb? Who is the Lamb…who is the Savior? His NAME is J E S U S… Who is the Baby, who is the King; Who is the Shepherd, who is the Lamb, Who is the Savior, who is the Son of the Living God.

God’s Way of Renewing the Mind by Kathleen Stamer

I have a reputation for being a big thinker. I naturally process so many thoughts on a moment to moment basis that I used to fear my brain would short-circuit or explode. Most of my thoughts were negative, and I was stressed to the max every day. When my mind was on overload with negative thoughts and worry, I felt like the Psalmist David who asked how long he had to wrestle with his thoughts and have sorrow in his heart every day. (Psalm 13:1-2) The ability to think is a gift from God, and our thoughts can either propel us towards fulfilling his will for our lives, or lead to our downfall; physically, mentally, spiritually. My thoughts were the toxic kind. Within fifteen minutes of waking up each day, I was filled with dread about the many things that were going wrong with my life.

God was faithful in answering my cry. He started my adventure in healing by bringing some much needed information to my attention. A year or so before my breaking point, I had bought some DVD’s from a TV ministry on emotional healing. When they had arrived and I watched them, they had no impact on me. I knew it was important information, but I certainly didn’t think it applied to me. The DVD set contains four sessions featuring Carolyn Leaf, PhD, who specializes in understanding how to eliminate toxic thoughts. The title of the set is “Your Body His Temple”, God’s plan for achieving emotional wholeness.

I was engulfed in obsessive worry, and my thoughts were literally making me sick. I can honestly say that I was sick on a cellular level – I felt that there was not a speck of me that was healthy. My cry to God was different from the Psalmist David’s. I said that I wanted to believe that his yoke was easy and that his burden was light. (Matt 11:30) I wanted him to teach me how to control my thoughts so that my thinking would line up with his. This was the point in my spiritual walk that I was brought to my knees before God. I knew that I was too weak to fight my battle on my own, and only his infinite strength could pull me through. This was my total surrender moment, the moment I told him I was ready for whatever adventure he had for me.

God brought these DVDs to mind, and I watched them again. This time, the scales fell off my eyes and I could clearly see what renewing of the mind was all about. Dr. Carolyn Leaf said that if we change the way we think, we create new pathways that go to the brain. 75 This in turn alters the chemical make-up of the brain, so the brain is being renewed.

Then she pointed out that our brains are renewed when we read our Bibles! This was the kernel of truth I had been looking for, that by absorbing God’s life-giving truths in his Word, I could be healed. Learning how my mind could be renewed, thus healed, has revolutionized my life. I began to read and meditate on God’s Word more frequently, and I sensed a peace I hadn’t felt in a long time. Instead of obsessing about problems, I now rely on God to meet my needs.

Because of my journey, one of my new favorite scriptures is (Psalm 18:38) “You, oh Lord, keep my light burning, my God turns my darkness into light.” I hope my story will touch the lives of others who worry obsessively and make themselves sick. You don’t have to accept this tendency even if you follow a long family line of worriers. Break the cycle that you’ve thought you were stuck with. Worrying is not your destiny. With Christ living in you, your destiny is peace, security, and emotional wholeness!

Cherry Delight A favorite Christmas recipe from Aunt Dots CRUST 3 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup sugar 1 stick oleo or butter Mix and press into bottom of a 9/13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350. FILLING 2- 8 oz packages of cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup finely chopped walnuts Mix together and spread over crust Pour two cans of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese. Spread Cool Whip over the pie filling. Cool and enjoy 76

Celebrate Christmas and Celebrate Family! Kids’ Crafts from Vintage Mama’s Cottage Here at Vintage Mama’s Cottage, we are always looking for fun new craft ideas to share with our children. After all, there’s a reason I am a “Vintage” mama . . . . I’ve been doing this for over 40 years and still have a couple of kiddos at home who like to do craft projects, no matter what season or holiday we are celebrating. So while we were out and about searching for Christmas recipes and crafts, we came across several simple, easy, and inexpensive craft projects that we wanted to share with you and your family. Teaching children the true meaning of Christmas is an important part of our family’s celebration, and it can be a bit of a challenge with all of the commercialization of the holiday in the world around us. So, with a bit of creativity and imagination, let’s have some family time over the next few weeks and focus on the real reason for this season of Christmas. “For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. This day in the City of David a Savior is born, whose name is Jesus.” Luke 2:10-11

Printable Nativity Christmas Craft From ScrapbookScrapbook Sweet and simple, this Nativity craft project can be printed off directly from the ScrapbookScrapbook website. Have the kids color it and cut it out, and with easy assembly they will have a pretty little Nativity set that they can arrange and rearrange to their heart’s content. Set it up every year under the Christmas tree or on the mantle of your fireplace, and it will become a family tradition for years to come.

Painted Popsicle Stick Nativity Set from Tangrila What kid doesn’t love to play with craft sticks? There are so many fun creations that can be made with Popsicle sticks and a bit of glue and paint! This adorable Nativity set can be made by even the smallest child, and with a little ribbon hanger on the back, can be hung on the Christmas tree. So simple, but so perfect for teaching our tiny tots the true Christmas story! Visit Tangrila for more Christmas craft project ideas.

Christmas Angel Crafts from Holiday Kids Crafts Angels hanging on the Christmas tree or sitting atop the tree; a little choir of angels dancing on the window sill or the mantle; or a sweet group of angels hovering over the Baby Jesus in the manger, angel crafts have so many possibilities! At Holiday Kids Crafts, you will find so many ideas for Christmas angel crafts, from the simple angels made from paper doilies or paper plates, to gilded angels that are elegant enough for even the most sophisticated holiday display.

Wooden Clothes Pin Angel Craft found on Pinterest Of course, Pinterest is the BEST place to find inspiration for your creative Christmas crafts and home décor! These lovely angels have been made from old fashioned wooden clothes pins and craft sticks. White paint for the angels’ gowns and wings, a bit of brown paint or marker for their hair, and a little golden star for each beautiful angel completes this project. Find many more creative ideas on Pinterest. 78

Author Interview with Marlene Bagnull by Beth Brubaker Greetings, dear readers! I’d like to introduce you to a woman with many talents, Marlene Bagnull. Welcome to Ruby, Marlene! What motivated you to write? Truthfully, in high school I would have said that becoming a writer was the last thing I would want to do. I hated English and lacked self-confidence. If anyone had told me that God was calling me to write for Him, I would have said “Who, me?” and run the other way. But as Isaiah 55:8 (TLB) says, "This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours!” I admit I struggled with self-doubts when I began to feel He was calling me to write, but I’m so glad I didn’t say no. How long have you been a writer? Before I ever thought I would one day be a published writer, the Lord moved me to a job in the editorial offices of my denomination. I was hooked almost from day one. The process of turning a writer’s manuscript into a published work was thrilling and fulfilling. I loved the excitement of racing to meet a deadline. I worked there for five years, reluctantly leaving when my second child was born in 1972. Debbie didn’t sleep through the night for two years. After getting up to nurse her four to five times a night there was no way I could have gone to work even with toothpicks to hold my eyes open. So . . . I began writing short devotionals and then articles. The rest, as they say, is history! What books have you written? God, I Need to Talk to You: Prayer Diary for Girls As girls between the ages of 10 and 13 read these prayers and make this journal their own, they'll see that God can be closer to them than their closest friends. For Better, For Worse: Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples – compiler and editor A devotional book filled with real stories from real people who have years of experience making their marriages work. Through their stories you will see how to live out your wedding-day promises. "For those of you treading in the 'for worse' parts of marriage, you need this 'for better' book to lift you up and brighten your day." - Florence Littauer, nationally known speaker, author of over 30 books and president of CLASS Speakers, Inc. 79

My Turn to Care: Encouragement for Caregivers of Aging Parents – compiler and editor The ultimate companion for caregivers. When the roles are reversed and your parents need your help but you don’t know how to make them happy When you’re exhausted, drained, criticized, pulled in different directions When your turn to care becomes your need for care, you need to know you are not alone. My Turn to Care will help you discover God’s blessings and draw on His strength day by day and hour by hour. Devotionals and inspirational thoughts/poetry by over 100 authors are divided into six helpful sections: Growing Older; Needing More Support; Live-In Parents; The Nursing Home Decision; Watching, Waiting, and Praying; Going Home. No guilt. No “how-you-can-do-it-better.” My Turn to Care offers gentle encouragement and inspiration by over 100 caregivers in the trenches. Write His Answer: A Bible Study for Christian Writers Practical help and encouragement for overcoming self-doubts, writer’s block, rejection, procrastination, and more with Scriptures to study, questions to apply the message to your life, and space to write your response. What do you hope to accomplish with your books? I want to be faithful to God’s call to “Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others” (Hab. 2:2 TLB). You wear many hats, including author, speaker, and conference organizer. How do you do it all? I honestly don’t know. Almost daily I tell the Lord, “I can’t.” But I never tell Him “I won’t.” I’m grateful for my wonderfully supportive husband, my prayer team, and the faculty and staff who work so hard at the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. What is your biggest passion concerning ministry? Through the past 31 years of conference ministry I have recognized that the greatest privilege God has given me is to encourage and equip Christians to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives. I can’t begin to count the writers I have personally mentored much less the thousands who have come to the 49 Christian writers conferences I’ve directed, to the over 50 one- and two-day writing seminars I’ve given around the country, and to the 75 plus writers conferences where I have served on faculty. 80

Only God could take someone who felt as inadequate as I did (and often still do) and make all this happen. “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Eph. 3:20 TLB). Your conferences inspire many writers. What thrills you the most when at these conferences? Seeing God work in the lives of His people. I love how He connects people and opens doors. Most of all I am thrilled by His presence as we worship Him in the general sessions and watch Him speak to hearts through the powerful keynote speakers He provides each year. What are some of the difficulties with organizing a conference? As someone has said, “I could write a book!” Answering all the questions and meeting the needs of over 200 conferees and a faculty of over 60 authors, editors, and agents at each conference is a nonstop challenge. I constantly struggle to find the bottom of my inbox. The deadlines that I found so exciting when I was a young adult working in an editorial office are now anything but exciting. Pulling the unavoidable all-nighters has become harder as I’ve gotten older. But the joy of the Lord truly is my strength. “This is my work, and I can do it only because Christ’s mighty energy is at work within me” (Col. 1:29 TLB). Are you involved in any other projects? I’m also an editor, typesetter, and small publisher. Through Ampelos Press I help Christians publish their books affordably yet professionally. What do you do to relax? I’m not sure “relax” is the right word, but I enjoy swimming and gardening. Before moving to Lansdale five years ago I had a postage stamp yard with little sunlight. Now, with half an acre, I’ve got gardens everywhere with plants I’ve “rescued” from a garden center – obstacles to mowing the grass my husband says. Can you tell us a little about your family? Paul and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last year. We have three grown children and three grandchildren who live within walking distance. We are blessed to be able to babysit them after school three days a week. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will” (Psalm 37:5 TLB). Our Ruby family would like to thank you for sharing with us Marlene! You are truly a blessed— and busy!—woman!

Visit Lynn at her blog to read her inspiring and encouraging posts.

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Infinite countdown by Keith Wallis The catalogues came with the closing of August, cards and presents on credit and easy payment terms. Street decorations, naked of light, began to flank our streets bunting for the party season to shine on merry drunks in early celebration. The shops have jumbled ‘xmas’ with end-of-line summer for months. In homes and houses there is little room for those who would suffice with stable: the sign above their doorways saying ‘no vacancies’ for future messiahs with blood on their hands. This is not blood-red Christmas with salvation wrapped in swaddling, uncomfortable in straw. This is snow-white Christmas sanitised and without batteries self-satisfied in furry slippers with comic faces. The carolled refrain of ‘I want’ rings from eager children, regardless of age, their noses pressed against shop-windowed fantasy. Pastors consider their wrappings of a present without price wondering, where truth and marketing collide, what is the acceptable face of unacceptable truth. How many presents will lie, abandoned and still wrapped, at the foot of Easter’s tree.

Remembering Newtown (Christmas 2012) The nativity is now but candle lights in the town that cannot sleep; where twenty lights no longer shine and mourning is so deep that comfort cannot comfort the unfathomable grief. Where tears are decorations, diamonds in their flood, flowing, rushing, firestorms touching places nothing should. Here are unwrapped presents, here undecorated trees; last nowells will not be canted on this Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tidy breeze. This Hamelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lost children pied-pipered by the gun has pierced the soul of Christmas for all and everyone. ~ by Keith Wallis The Sandy Hook Elementary School (Newtown) shooting occurred on December 14, 2012

The Good Shepherd by Donna B. Comeaux The nocturnal evening was clear, cold, and quiet. Except for tiny specks of twinkling light, nothing else disturbed the patent leathered sky. Bleats filled the air as shepherds made their way to hillsides to begin their watch. Just before darkness consumed the earth, shepherds inspected the herds one last time then resumed their position. With a staff firmly placed in one hand, each shepherd wore a turban and a long robe, along with a scarf tucked close to their neck to shield from the cold. Their only job: guard and protect the sheep. The life of a shepherd isn't easy. He must be alert, ready at all times to ward off the enemy. And with certainty, he must place the sheep above himself. Long before his birth, the Good Shepherd made careful preparation to protect his flock. Through Abraham he promised a nation, not of Israelites, but of aliens, the children of promise. As he carefully laid out his plan, he gave us a set of rules to live by so we would neither die before our appointed time, or give into temptation. He warned us to worship him in spirit and in truth, not with the aid of objects we can see and touch. If you're not in the habit of studying Biblical history, it may seem as though some events happened by chance, or that others had complete control. But upon further examination and meditation on the scriptures, we find that the seemingly meaningless rule to impose a census by Caesar Augustus was all orchestrated by God to move Joseph and Mary from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem where our savior was born. For centuries, God had his people kill a sacrificial lamb, knowing full well that it was a foreshadow of what was to come. When the true lamb arrived through the womb of a virgin, who were the first to hear of it? The shepherds. God didn't choose the religious (Sadducees or Pharisees), or kings and statesmen. He chose men who worked for a minimum wage. From the beginning, God planned for Jesus to live so he might die. Instead of sending him as an angel or as a full grown human being, he reduced Jesus Christ to that of a baby.

This lamb had to drink milk first before allowed to eat meat. He lived among us and had his patience tested. He endured ridicule, bullying, and slander. He was called an imposter. They talked behind his back and said he performed miracles because he was of Satan. For forty days and nights, he wandered the wilderness hungry, listening to the evil one tempt him in every way. Like the shepherds, Jesus Christ had options. To stand ready to fight the enemy in order to protect his sheep, or cry out and be rescued by God, leaving his flock to fend for themselves. Jesus Christ chose to live among a chaotic people. Then he drank the bitter cup of death. The closest I can come to that kind of love is the love I have for my children. I'd do anything for them. But can I? I can't rescue them from sin, though I want to. I can't forgive their sins and wash them clean, though I want to. I can hold them. Rock them. Sing them a song. Read scriptures with them. Pray endlessly for them. But I can't save them. I'm not the Good Shepherd. Sometimes when I reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, I find that I get so caught up in the manger that I don't see the tortuous ordeal our Lord and Savior lived through. I'd be angry if someone tried to bait me into an argument like the Pharisees and Sadducees did Jesus. I'd definitely not spare my wrath when the disciples wanted to know who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom. And to have fed the five thousand and the disciples turn around and not be able to heal the sick boy3 after witnessing such a miracle, I'd be furious. He specifically chose the twelve. He lived with them day and night until he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He revealed himself to them in ways he never shared with the world. Such faithlessness had to weigh on him. To come down to earth and show himself in the form of a man and witness such humanity had to cause him concern. Then again, hadn't Jesus witnessed such weakness since man's fall from grace in the Garden of Eden? 86

We grieve our Holy Father today with the same worldly way of thinking. I, for one, constantly beat myself up for not reaching my goals, or consume myself with my inabilities rather than devoting myself to prayer for all that I need. Many of us have the tendency to separate his birth from his death, compartmentalizing Jesus Christ in tiny Christmas wrappings and silly Easter bunnies then have the audacity to call it a Passover celebration. God Almighty is Holy! We can in no way contain him in pretty wrappings than we can restrain him to particular times of year. God is forever. God is here and now. He's not someone to be worshipped only on a festive holiday. He's not someone to be worshipped only when we decide we need him. He's not an insurance policy to be pulled out only in disastrous times. HE IS forever. Amen! We don't have the right to live frightened, doubtful lives. Jesus Christ freed us with his death. No matter how much I love my children, or my family, I could never give them that kind of freedom. After examining the story of baby Jesus, I find that I can no longer look at Christmas as a day to celebrate the birth of our Lord. I'm drawn to the life in his death. Hidden beneath the downpour of blood and water is my life. I've been made clean by his death and given hope through his resurrection. The manger isn't the beginning of Jesus Christ. He has and always will be the Alpha and Omega. Time can't contain him. Death can't hold him. Holidays can't resurrect him. I see how Jesus Christ puts up with my foolishness every single day. How he endures my doubts, my fears, my carelessness, my struggles to worship him in spirit and in truth. Every day I'm repenting. And every moment of the day he is forgiving. When you serve a God who loves you as deeply as he does, is it really possible to wait for a festive time of year to fall on your knees and worship him? I can't contain myself that long. His love is too overwhelming. How about you? Can you wait? 87

He Came for Failures! by Lynn Mosher I grieve when I fail the Lord, when my obedience lacks its first response. But then I remember it was for failures that Christ graced a waiting manger. It was for failures that He breathed His last earthly breath as He hung in disgrace on a wooden cross. It was to a failure, one who penned the precious psalms that touch our hearts in time of need. And, yet, as a man after God’s own heart, sinned and ripped apart his fellowship with the Lord, then repented and repaired it. It was to a failure, one who had denied Christ three times, that the command of “feed My sheep” was given. It was to a failure that Jesus gave His first greeting in the Garden of Gethsemane on that initial Easter morn. It was to a failure who had been the foremost despiser of believers yet became one of the greatest servants of the Gospel, the Lord blessing his ministry and his writings for all time. I think, no, I know my greatest failure is in closing the inn-door of my heart, telling the Christ-child there is no room to live in my heart, in my circumstances, in every moment of my life. But He came… ...amid a firmament full of celestial singers and the cries of an infant. And in the lowly stable, Mary lovingly swaddled the future Sacrifice of the world; her gentleness contrasted with the roughness of the hand-hewn trough in which she placed the tiny Child. There, the miracle of the manger took place: the empty manger, the harbinger of a destined, wooden cross cradling the tiny body of mankind’s salvation, became full - full of love, full of expectation, full of holiness, and full of humanity. He came, confined by the boundaries of time and limitations of a physical body. For failures, He came. For me, He came. For you, He came. But where does He go to be cradled today? In the manger-hearts of believers. “How silently, how silently the wondrous Gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.” Is the rough manger of your heart cradling the Babe of salvation? God still seeks His mangers…hearts willing to hold Him. For this . . . He came! 88

What is Peace? by Angela Hiskett What is peace to me? Peace is in the whisper of the tree. Peace is a gift. Peace is in the dawn’s breaking of the sun, Peace was given to us through the breaking of the son. Peace is a gift. By us it was not earned, and not won. Jesus is the one by whom it was earned and was won. Peace is a gift. Given to us through Christ’s blood, Given to us, when we are saturated by mud. Peace is a gift. It’s there for the using, It’s there for the choosing. Peace is a gift. Peace is the cool breeze ruffling through your hair. Peace is the smell of lilacs in the spring air. Peace is a gift. God did not gift us with stress. He did not gift us with this mess. Peace is a gift. Give up to God your worry, Give up to God your hurry. Peace is a gift. A gift given from above. A gift given in love.

Light in the Manger by Miriam Jacob I stand alone beside the cowshed at night, watching the full moon, cast its silvery fragrance over the silent grounds. Inside, the warm, cuddly smell of the cows drifts out to me, as the soft country scents of fresh milk and sweet hay refresh my awakening senses, invigorating me with a new awareness of the countryside. as I slip very quietly inside. I squirm against a chesnut-coloured cow, as I worm my way into the hayrack. The cow goes on munching, unflinchingly, as it must have done ages ago, on that dark and lonesome night, when Mary sat alone in the stable, her new-born babe in her arms. I gaze at the straw-filled hayrack, and imagine the Baby Jesus lying in the manger, still and quiet, with the animals all around him. A hole in the roof reveals a solitary star, twinkling brilliantly, guiding the shepherds to the stable where the Baby Jesus lies. I can see them plod up the valley, anxiously looking for the manger that cradles the King of glory. The door of the cowshed swings open, as the shepherds come creeping in, their little lambs nestling in their arms. The stable at Bethlehem is very quiet and still, as the world waits with bated breath, for God's Son, Jesus Christ, to touch the whole world with His life-changing love.

The Luke 2 Christmas Surprise: Corby’s Turn by Sharon L. Patterson Part of our Christmas morning routine includes the gathering of the clan, now 12 of us, hot chocolate in hand, seated in the living room around a heavily giftladen tree. Before we put on the reindeer ears and assign the oldest grandchildren to be the elves- incharge-of-passing-out-gifts, we pause for the reading of the Christmas story from the second chapter of Luke.

No grandmother in her right mind could deny that request!

It is not only a great time for remembering the significance of Christmas and family- it is a precious moment of sharing of our Christian faith.

Since our list of readers was growing, I decided to include a bit more scripture reading to include Mary and Joseph presenting the baby Jesus to the Lord in the temple and meeting with Anna and Simeon.

When we first started reading the Christmas story, I asked the adults to read as the grandchildren listened. Once the oldest grandson could read, he began to participate as we passed the Bible around to share in the reading. Before too long, two more precious voices could be heard during our sacred tradition. Presently there is only one kindergartener waiting his turn just as soon as he adds reading to his many other talents. The crux of this story, however, centers on grandson number three. As everyone grabbed a mug of hot chocolate and sat down in his and her choice spot, I began our honored tradition turning to Luke 2. Everyone prepared to read his or her scriptures. I knew that the oldest, now a junior in high school, our third-grade grandson, and our second-grade granddaughter would all have a chance to participate. The last two, five year old Corby and three year old Gavin were still waiting. However, much to the surprise of everyone that morning, Corby chimed in and said, “I want to read the story, too!” I remembered my daughter-in law telling me how much he was enjoying learning to read.

After all, some adult coaxing was needed on occasion for the “big” words and unusual names. Heaven only knows the difficulty with “Cyrenius, governor of Syria” the adults in our family had in pronunciation.

Everything was going quite well. Now the Bible passed to Corby. His scripture happened to fall on verse 21. My eyes had already spotted the ninth word and grew wider in anticipation of Corby’s reading. With absolutely no glitch in pronunciation, no hesitation at the difficult word, he read, “And when the eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child…” He sailed through, with no questions and not one bit of coaxing. We all chuckled quietly and told Corby what a wonderful job he did. Our reading tradition will pass on, and one day, when Corby who will probably be called by his more formal name, Corbin, is a father and grandfather sitting in his living room with his children and grandchildren, reading Luke 2, he may chuckle and remember the special Christmas when he was five and wanted to read the Christmas story. Until then, it will be a delightful memory for our clan. 91

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Can I do This? by Donna B. Comeaux When was the last time you did what you really wanted? And when you tried, how often did you foul it up before you finally gave up on the idea? As you sat in the dark and sulked in sorrow trying to pacify your decision to quit, did you calculate the man-hours spent chasing your dream? The reality of it all is enough to send anyone into a deep depression. Lawrence Block1 once said, “If you want to write fiction, the best thing you can do is take two aspirins, lie down in a dark room, and wait for the feeling to pass.” I'm sure you've felt that way about your dreams. Sometimes when failures knock me to my knees, I think of Michael Jordan or Walt Disney. Neither had the natural ability to be successful at what they did. Walt Disney2 threw hundreds of drawings in the trash before one was a success3. At one point, he was told his idea for a cartoon character wouldn’t work because “a giant mouse on the screen would terrify women.” How silly. Michael Jordan4 had one obstacle after another. He lost almost 300 games, missed over 9,000 shots, and 26 times was given the ball to take the game-winning shot and MISSED. Michael’s and Walt’s early days are considered failed attempts at success. Who would sit back and watch a young Jordan miss shot after shot and then suggest he might one day be one of the greatest players ever to play the game? It was ludicrous for Walt Disney to think he'd bring moveable cartoons to the big screen! Can you imagine the ridicule? Can you see the bankers cringe at the idea of extending him another loan? For a cartoon character? With something to prove, these men managed to rise above5 the mockery and stay focused, using their failures as motivation.

At times I wanted to throw in the towel and turn away from my dream to become a writer. I went through the motions of disconnecting my computer, cleaning my office, and placing every reference book I owned in the trash, only to put them back on the shelf—just in case. All sorts of things got in my way—work, family issues, and the many voices convincing me I should pay someone to help me. I listened to suggestions to read one website after another so I'd better learn the art of writing. I don’t condemn efforts to help me. As a matter of fact, I learned a great deal. But somewhere along the way, I committed a horrible sin. I convinced myself others were far superior and there was no way I'd measure up to their ability to create literary works of art. No one told me to take critiques in stride or to ignore those who just didn’t get it. No one told me that being a writer was a subjective craft. No one told me that one person would look at a scene and immerse themselves in it and feel exactly what was going on, while others would pick the scene apart and find a hundred and one things wrong with it—from the number of times I used “that” to the number of times I split a paragraph in the wrong place. To keep myself humble, I took everyone’s opinion/critique as gospel and whittled away at my ability to be creative. Before I knew it, my selfconfidence was gone. I later realized I didn’t know how to sift through the noise and keep my own voice. In short, I wanted to please everyone—93 never mind the fact I was the storyteller and could literally do whatever I pleased with my book.

One day, amid all my confusion, I asked myself if I could possibly move forward and, if so, how. There will be days when you can’t write a word. There will even be times when after a bad critique you can’t get out of the dugout and move past your hurt feelings to finish your edits or write fresh material.

Writing should keep you up at night. It’s a common occurrence for me to tiptoe in the dark to my computer and finish an idea swirling around in my head. I’m amazed when I look up three hours later and notice so much time has passed. I can’t tell you the number of times I have tossed and turned in my bed, tiring myself out, before finally getting up to write.

It’s assured, though, unless you plant butt-in-chair and keep it there, failure will tap you on the shoulder right before it blows a hole in your world. Not long ago, someone did just that. A lady in my critique group sent me an e-mail and said she’d be happy to critique the first chapter of my family saga. She was kind, professional, and sent me her credentials as assurance of her qualifications. I felt honored this wonderful person would share her time with me. In fact, I was a little giddy about the whole idea and could hardly sleep that night. I wish I had. The next day unnerved me. There wasn’t a sentence in the first paragraph that wasn’t ripped apart. Though most of her corrections were right on, she pounded my self-esteem until it resembled sawdust, making me wonder why I had the audacity to think I could write. Needless to say, I decided, “That’s it! I quit.” My husband spent countless hours talking me out of it. Still, my drive was gone, my identity shattered. To my surprise, within three or four days, I replaced the desire to quit with a need to weed through the painful remarks and validate her critique. I highlighted anything meaningful and I ditched the rest.

To be honest, I’d rather write than eat. I absolutely hate having to stop in the middle of a scene and go to the bathroom or pause to eat lunch. I’ve skipped more meals than I can count (and still haven’t lost a pound of cellulite) and have gnawed on stale, crusted bread just so I can keep writing and not break my concentration. For me, there’s something fascinating about the English language that dares me to rearrange every sentence I lay my eyes on. I can’t sit through a Scrabble game without making a mental note of an unfamiliar word so I can later look it up in the dictionary. I crave to create words that seem to leap off the page, pound with rhythm, whip through the air, lull you to sleep or sing as soft as the sound of hummingbird’s wings. It’s nice when I dare my readers to love villains and hate heroes.

The lesson here? If you think for one minute you can withstand an honest critique, think again. My advice: before you read a critique, think of the worst day in your life then the critique won’t seem so bad. If you still can’t handle it, treat yourself to a day spa, go see a romantic movie, then go home and prop your feet up, ’cause you’re done.

To accomplish this, I must first believe in myself. I must endeavor to believe that beyond all the dangling modifiers, misused words, run-on sentences, needless adjectives, and wordy sentences (like this one), there’s a story brewing. The healing for poorly written manuscripts are 94 reading and writing, and more writing and reading.

Sure, I can spend $199 for an online class. Not a thing wrong with it if you have the cash. Nothing wrong with taking a creative writing course at your community college either. But I assure you, nothing will cure what ails a writer than more reading and writing. Maybe you don’t want to be a writer. Is something else gnawing at you? How long have you put off teaching that Sunday School class? Or put off starting a ladies group? For the men out there, maybe you've been dying to spearhead a men's retreat. I say, GO FOR IT!! But beware.

Regardless, you must do as good writers do. Put a new spin on your old idea and make asserted efforts to come up with fresh ideas (good luck with this one). In addition, you must exercise discipline. It’s an absolute necessity that you plant butt-in-chair, fail a half dozen times, throw things, lose sleep, and perhaps go broke to transform your dreams into reality. Unless you have a physical handicap keeping you from implementing these things, there is absolutely nothing standing in your way to become a writer, a Sunday School teacher, a camp leader, or kick off your first men's retreat. So, plant your butt-in-chair and join me on this stressful journey to success. Take whatever idea you have and hammer away at it until you have accomplished every single thing imaginable. There will be roadblocks, so, don’t pretend they aren’t coming. Prepare for them. Think of yourself as abnormal if roadblocks don’t emerge. Nevertheless, determine to move forward through whatever adversity comes your way. You can do this. So can I. This document proves my success. Show the world yours.

You will have all types of cheerleaders: those who will say you can’t and those who will say you can. One thing is certain. None of those voices really matter except your own. What good is it if someone says you can, but buzzing inside your head is: “I really can’t do this. I don’t have the expertise.” Those excuses merely explain who you are—a dear soul with a low selfesteem. Are you willing to allow these excuses to lock you in? Writing is one of the hardest professions in the world, yet, millions have become successful at it. And here are two concrete truths: no two people have the same writing ability, and not all "published" writers write well.

Visit Donna at her blog, A Writer First, to read more of her inspiring posts. Other writings by Donna can be found in the Archive section of Ruby for Women Magazine and Hope-Full Living, a daily devotional. She has an upcoming novel due for release online through Smashwords Publishing in January 2015. To read more about this topic, please see the following resources: 1

Writing the Novel from Plot to Print by Lawrence Block, Writer’s Digest Books, 1983. 2

Bharatbhasa Free Articles

The Life and Times of Walt Disney.

Business Insider: Thomas Edison and Michael Jordan were Failures. 95 5 Bio.True Story: Michael Jordan.

Check the Temperature Puzzle Answer Key by Beth Brubaker

Watch Those Calories! Letter Tile Scramble Puzzle Answer Key by Beth Brubaker

The Minute to Win It New Year’s Eve Party by Michelle S. Lazurek Have you ever seen the show Minute to Win It with Guy Fieri? The game show features contestants of various ages competing in challenges that they must complete in less than one minute. Using ordinary household objects, these contestants, cheered on by the audience, compete for a chance to win a million dollars. Now you can have the chance to host a Minute to Win It competition at home! Ring in the New Year with a fun and inexpensive way to spice up your New Year’s Eve party. Increase your hand-eye coordination while entertaining your friends at the same time. This makes for a great youth event or a private party with your friends. Here’s what to do: 1) Watch the Minute to Win It game show. Choose the games you would like to showcase at your party. For more ideas, visit the website http://stumingames.com/2013/04/02/top-20-minute-towin-it-games/ 2) Gather (or purchase) items to complete those challenges. 3) Gather as many friends as you can. These games work in as small of a group as four or five or as large enough as ten to twenty. 4) That night, divide the amount of people you have into teams. You can have two or three teams depending on the amount of people. 5) Have fun! Cheer your friends on as they enjoy (or embarrass) themselves well into the night. 6) For an added feature, have a twitter party by tweeting live as the action happens. Post your most fun (or embarrassing) pictures on Instagram or Facebook. Here are some items you will need: • • • • • • • •

A Deck of cards Two Ping pong balls Toilet paper or paper towel cardboard tubes Two Tea bags Two Baseball caps (or other type of hat) Fifteen Styrofoam cups Cell phone (to time contests or to video the fun) Two Balloons

Here are some games you can choose: •

Teabag Hat Toss- Tape one tea bag on each side of a baseball cap. Each teammate must swing their heads to get the tea bags to stay on the top of the hat’s brim. They cannot touch the tea bags with their hands. They can only use their heads to swing the tea bags.

•

Paper Towel Tower- Using paper towel holders and one ping pong ball, each team member must make a free standing tower using both paper towel holders and the ping pong ball in between. The tower must stand on its own. The person who completes the challenge the fastest wins. Use a cell phone as a countdown clock to time the event. Make sure you stop the clock the second one member completes builds their tower.

•

Balloon Blow Up- Set up 15 plastic cups in a row across a table. When the clock starts, the player grabs the balloon and begins to blow it up. Player knocks cups off the table by using air from the balloon. Player must always stay on one side of the table. •

House of cards- When the timer starts, each team must make a tower of cards. The person with the tallest card house wins.

•

Solo Cup Pyramid- Get fifteen paper cups (Styrofoam works best). When time starts, each contestant must make a pyramid using all fifteen cups. When they have made the pyramid (one cup at the top, two in the next row and so on) they then must place the cups in one single stack. The person who does this in the fastest time wins.

New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity and a few household products, you can have a fun and memorable New Year’s Eve.

Visit Donna Comeaux at her blog, A Writer First, to read her inspirational posts and short stories. 98

Down the Lane Word Scramble Puzzle Answer Key by Beth Brubaker sing king kind bind bond fond food foot loot lout loud

Visit Heather King at Room to Breathe to read her inspirational posts.

Visit Kathi Macias at her website for more information about her books and her speaking schedule. www.kathimacias.com

Please join us at Carol’s Book Club and read along. We would love to include you! Stop by Carol’s website at Carol Peterson, Author, and get reading!

Check out the new Apple Pie Boutique featuring designs by Art & Soul Boutique, Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Filigree & Flowers, Anchored Threads, Sudsy Sweet Treats Bath Bakery, Windy Hill Vanilla, Run Into Art, Girlie Creations, and many more! 100

The Early Years by Keith Wallis The poems in this omnibus were written quite a while back. Whilst fairly contemporary at the time, some may well have been written differently today. However, some still remain firm favourites in the author's portfolio. “Coaled” (in Marketplace of Masks) found a new lease on life as a short story (“Clive's Journey”) published by Bewildering Stories (issue 333). Read more: http://wordsculptureskeith.blogspot.com/p/early-years.html#ixzz2UywCNQDr

Daily devotions for every day of the month from Kristi Burchfiel

www.booksbyamanda.com 101

Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved: Discover Your Character in God’s Love Story by Michelle S. Lazurek Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved: Discover Your Character in God’s Love Story by Michelle S. Lazurek (Winepress Publishing, October, 2011) invites readers to engage with the story God is writing for their lives and discover their role as a character in that story. The book also asks the reader “What’s Your Story?” and provides thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter to allow readers to interact with the material. Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved is available from Ruby’s Reading Corner. It is also available on her website at www.michellelazurek.com , www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com . You can follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mslazurek or Twitter.

You are invited . . . . Are you a writer? Do you love to cook or craft? You are invited to submit your stories, articles, poems, book reviews, recipes or crafts for publication in the WINTER, 2015 issue of Ruby for Women. DEADLINE FOR WINTER SUBMISSIONS IS DECEMBER 1, 2014. Please send your submissions to editor@rubyforwomen.com For advertising inquiries, please email karen@rubyforwomen.com

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Discover your own creative expression with eBook patterns and tutorials from Vintage Mama’s Cottage Create your own handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality “wearable-art” garments for your little ones.

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A River of Small Stones by Keith Wallis A beautiful and inspirational book of poetry, perfect for gift-giving for every season of the year! Poems written as “small stones,” polished moments of paying proper attention to life Available at www.ariverofstones.blogspot.com

By Still Waters by Keith Wallis A celebration of life; poems and associated photographs of faith and experience. The light touch of a poet rejoicing in creation. Read more: http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/p/by-stillwaters.html

“poems from the pit” by Keith Wallis The words and photographs offer a view that there is beauty even in the ‘detritus’ left behind by industry and the litter discarded by the thoughtless. The poems are all inspired by his photographs but may be a little oblique – often showing a train of thought rather than a description. Sample can be viewed at: http://www.blurb.com/user/store/wordsculptor where you’ll also find his other books.

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Stop by Ruby’s Reading Corner the next time you are shopping online for books . . . . every book purchased from Ruby’s Reading Corner helps support the ministry of Ruby for Women. 105

Meet the Ruby for Women Writers Aunt Dots, Master Gardener Aunt Dots has been writing for Ruby for Women since the very beginning. Her love for gardening started early in her life: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe I got my love for growing flowers from my mother. She had a large flower garden with annuals and dahlias. I had my first flower garden after I married and we lived in a garden apartment.â&#x20AC;? She now has perennial gardens, rose gardens, grape vines, asparagus, currants, gooseberries, walnut trees, apple trees, and hazelnut trees. In the winter months, Aunt Dots sews, making quilts that she has donated to a Mennonite Relief auction.

Beth Brubaker, Footprints in the Mud and Ask Beth Beth is the "Family Fun" editor here in the Ruby for Women community. Her biggest thrill is to make others laugh, but also come away with a little wisdom. She is a humorist poet and songwriter, and her day jobs include homemaking, writing, and paper and fabric arts. Beth has been a Christian since her early twenties, and has been married to her "Knight In Dented Armor" since 1997. She is the mother of two teenage children and two cats (she still hasn't told the cats they were adopted...Shh!) Her oldest child has Aspergers, which helps her see things a little differently through his eyes. Beth's passion is the written word, and is developing ways of sharing her brand of humor with the world through poems, songs and stories. She enjoys sharing her struggles and experiences with others, to encourage them to find their own passions and attain what they want out of life- and to find joy and humor along the way. Don't miss Beth's columns and puzzles in every issue of Ruby for Women! You can read Beth's posts on her blog Footprints In The Mud at http://footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com or emails her at bethatruby@aol.com.

Lanette Kissel lives in southern Indiana with her adopted Yorkie-Poo, Benjy. She enjoys singing in her huge choir at Crossroads Christian Church. She has been a freelance writer of Christian/Inspirational poetry for twelve years. Recently, she has been writing Inspirational articles and essays, as well as devotions. Her work has appeared in: Mature Living Magazine, Purpose, Live, The War Cry, The Lutheran Journal, The Catholic Yearbook, Silver Wings, Inspired Women Magazine, and others. 106

Lynn Mosher, Devotions

Since the year 2000, Lynn Mosher has lived with fibromyalgia and other physical conditions. During this time, the Lord placed the desire in her heart to write for Him. Now, armed with God’s purpose for her life and a new passion, she reaches out to others to encourage and comfort them through her writing, giving God all the glory. She lives with her husband in their empty nest in Kentucky. On occasion, their three offspring, who have flown the coop, come to visit, accompanied by a son-in-law and three granddaughters. Visit Lynn at her blog, at http://lynnmosher.com

Katherine Corrigan, Recipes and Crafts Katherine is a blogger at Katherine’s Corner, an artist, designer, tea drinker and hug giver. She has been a contributor to Ruby for Women for three years. She is originally from England. But she has lived in the USA since 1975. She holds a rare dual citizenship with the UK and the USA and is a proud citizen of both. She greets each day with grace, dignity and gratitude. Thanking God for her strength as she continues to encourage others and moves forward despite her physical challenges. She is happily married and has five grandchildren. After 30 years of working in the medical field and managing other people’s businesses Katherine has her own online shop and graphics business. She never hesitates to contribute to Ruby for Women. She says, “Being part of Ruby for Women is like getting a big hug every day.” Blog http://KatherinesCorner.com Blog Graphics at http://BlogArtByKatherine.com Shop http://KeepsakesByKatherine.etsy.com

Heather King is a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom to three beautiful girls. A former English teacher, she now lives a life of doing dishes, folding laundry, finding lost toys and mending scraped knees. She treks to the grocery store more times a week than she’d like and struggles to keep up with chores, appointments and the to-do list that refreshes itself day after day. In addition to all that, she’s the worship leader at her church in Virginia, a Bible study teacher and women’s ministry leader. You can find her blogging about these times with God at her devotional site: Room To Breathe: http://heathercking.wordpress.com/

Angie Hiskitt

“I am a child of God, a mother of four, wife to one, teacher to many, a daughter, a sister, a sister-in-law, an aunt, a granddaughter, a pet owner of 7, house-cleaner of 1 husband 4 kids 2 dogs and 5 cats... and a writer. I am also a teacher. I just finished up my first year as a Level 3 special education teacher at the same small town school my children attend. Before that I was the teacher in a self-contained classroom for students with emotional and behavioral disorders in a bit larger district for 7 years. I love the Lord!” You can connect with Angie on her blog, Grant Me Wisdom, Oh Lord.

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Kathleen Stamer lives in Upstate NY with her husband. She loves writing, making craft projects, and caring for her home. She has published articles about homemaking and personal experiences, as well as short stories for children. She is currently working on her first Christian Romance novel. Hey y’all! My name is Taylor DeVine. I live on a ranch in the middle of nowhere but I absolutely love it! Riding horses, working cattle, working with horses, reading, writing, running, and cooking are my passions. A mantra of mine is "Fearlessness." Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, what you're passionate about, and what you know you have been equipped by the Holy Spirit to do. Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.come/tndevine Subscribe to my blog www.heartofthewood.wordpress.com

Jean Ann Williams is a writer and the author of God's Mercies after Suicide: Blessings Woven through a Mother's Heart, a devotional book written following the death of her son, Joshua. You can connect with Jean Ann on one of her blogs: http://joshua-mom.blogspot.com/ http://jeanannwilliams.blogspot.com/

Maxine Young

“I was born into a Christian family, attended church every week and church schools even, but it is now as an adult that I am truly learning how to have a personal relationship with the Lord.” You can read Maxine’s articles and posts on her blog, His Work in Progress.

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

Ruth O’Neil is a member of the Ruby Blogger Team and she blogs at Ruth’s Real Life. She has recently had her book, Belonging, published. Please visit Ruth at Ruth’s Real Life to read her blog posts and for more information about her new book. 108

Full time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Corallie writes regularly for the Christian Woman magazine, Australia's premier magazine for Christian women. In addition to her editing her own work, she contributes material to a number of magazines in the US including The Haven Journal, Inspired Women Magazine, and Ruby for Women. Sharing God's message of love and forgiveness, and mentoring other young writers is her passion. Corallie is also the author of Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose; a book which won her the award of Young Australian Christian Writer of the Year in 2007. She lives her with husband and daughter in Brisbane, Australia. http://www.coralliebuchanan.com.au/

Theresa Begin writes her blog, Shoestring Elegance, as a means of ministering to other women who are interested in learning to live well, even on a budget. “I began writing my blog, Shoestring Elegance, because I found that living on a tight budget didn’t mean compromising on style or standing.” Theresa’s favorite verse, which guides her writing, is “Nothing is Impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) Visit Theresa at her blog at http://shoestringelagance.blogspot.com/

Gloria Doty: I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 13. I have owned a catering business, and a Grade A goat dairy. I have managed a restaurant, worked in retail and was Dir. of Children’s’ Ministries for a large church for 10 years. I have been writing since I was in third grade. I currently write 2 blogs about my youngest daughter, Kalisha, and our journey together through the world of mild mental retardation, autism and Aspergers. One blog is written for www.MOMS.FortWayne.com and is titled “Not Different Enough”. The other blog is www.gettingitright-occasionally.blogspot.com I write freelance articles for magazines and am a contributor to two devotional publications: Living the Gospel Life and Hope-Full Living. I do not believe it is possible to make it through a day without faith and a sense of humor, even in the darkest times and I try to always reflect that in my writing.

Marilynn Dawson has authored several books and a series since 2012. She sings with a community gospel choir and handles both computer tech and sound tech at her church. She lives with her two grown kids, cat, and gerbil in Kelowna BC Canada. For more tidbits of advice, you can order Marilynn’s book, Mom’s Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate, from Ruby’s Reading Corner. You can read Marilynn’s posts on her blog, Song Dove Musings. 109

Connie Arnold, Poetry lives in North Carolina, is married and has two children and three grandchildren. In coping with lupus, fibromyalgia and other difficulties, she has turned to the Lord for inspiration and offers her inspirational poetry to offer encouragement, comfort and hope to others who are suffering. She is the author of Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace, Abiding Hope and Love, and Abundant Comfort and Grace plus a 2012 inspirational calendar, Glimpses of Grace. She also writes for children and is the author of Animal Sound Mix-up and has two other children’s books under contract. You can visit Connie at www.conniearnold.webs.com or her blog, www.conniearnold.blogspot.com

Melissa Zelniker-Presser lives with her wonderful husband Shlomi and their three children Avery, Collin and Meadow in South Florida. Melissa was born and raised in a Jewish home and later found Jesus at the age of 35. Shlomi, an Israeli Jew, was not far behind, finding the Lord shortly thereafter. Both Melissa and Shlomi are practicing attorneys in the criminal justice field. Their journey is one of brokenness, mercy and redemption. You can read her blog posts at Work for the Cause Not the Applause. My name is Yvonne Carson, CEO/Founder of Empowerlicious Woman ™. Our tagline is “Feeling Good About the Woman Inside.” When a woman feels good from the inside out she exudes confidence, faith, and assurance in who God created her to be, not by the dictates of society. These attributes are needed, among other things, to live an authentic, purpose-driven life and for fulfilling her unique calling in life. Amanda Stephan is a multi-published Christian romance author who loves sharing God’s love with others. A homeschooling mother and stay at home wife, she finds pleasure in many things from sewing, to baseball and karate, to writing. She is currently working on a three book Christian romantic suspense series and resides in Columbia, TN, with her real-life hero husband of 8 years and two children. You can find Amanda at her website www.BooksByAmanda.com www.thepriceoftrust.com www.twitter.com/amandastephan www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma

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: A Soldier's Strength from the Psalms (2007); Healing for the Holes in Our Souls(2008); and Where Is Happy?(2011). She is a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayer; also Gettin' Old Ain't for Wimps (Karen O'Connor,2004) and Special Strength for Special Parents (Nina Fuller, 2006). She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren. 110

Connie Chandler lives in a Hobbit Hole in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she teaches and serves in international refugee ministry. She loves studying the Bible, trying new things, listening to stories, going on adventures, and drinking hot tea. She sits in a wheelchair because she has a disability that weakens her muscles but not her spirit. She shares the stories of God’s strength and faithfulness in her life on her blog: conniesbowlofcherries.blogspot.com.

Christie Browning has more than 20 years of writing, developmental coaching and teaching experience. She is a four-time Hoosier State Press Association Award winner with two first-place designations for her editorial feature stories. Originally from Tennessee, Christie now resides in Indiana. www.revisionmagazine.net

Miriam Jacob is an author and poet in cyberspace, having published a series of E-Books at Lulu.com. She is a book reviewer at CHRISTIAN BOOK DISTRIBUTORS, BARNES AND NOBLE, GOOGLE BOOKS and HARPER COLLINS CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING (BookLook Bloggers). She writes reviews for Christian books, in the categories of literary fiction, non-fiction, poetry and politics. Her articles and book reviews are published on her blog: “AUTHORS FOR CHRIST”

Michelle S. Lazurek has been a pastor's wife for over twelve years. Whether it is through writing counseling material, organizing ladies retreats or mentoring women in her church, Michelle considers each day an opportunity to find her place in God's story. In 2007, Michelle and her husband Joe planted Praxis Church. Michelle holds a Master's degree in Counseling and Human Relations from Liberty University. She has two beautiful children: Caleb and Leah. Michelle provides tips for busy writers on her blog The Writers’ Tapestry: Where Writing and Life Intertwine http://www.michellelazurek.com

Donna Comeaux resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband, Glenn. Together, they have two children and five grandchildren. She draws inspiration from her life, the life of others, the news, and her wild and vivid imagination. She is a freelance writer and has written several poems for funerals and weddings, and is in the process of editing her first completed family saga, White Castle. She will begin work on her second novel, Taken by Choice, and start writing a collection of short stories in 2014.

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Keith Wallis, Poet-in-Residence Keith Wallis is an English poet. He is a senior part of the leadership team of Houghton Regis Baptist church. An engineering designer by trade, he brings an eye for detail as well as faith into his poetry. As well as being ‘poet in residence’ at Ruby ezine, he is a moderator at ChristianWriters.com. His blog of ekphrasic poetry is: http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/ where you’ll also find links to his books and his other blogs. Married to Val in 1970, he has two sons and three grandsons. The eldest grandson is disabled and cannot communicate verbally. Though not an ‘academic’ (school was a disaster!) he was always fond of writing. He began submitting work for publication in the 1980’s after being encouraged by a community writer in residence.

Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Amanda has been writing for Ruby for Women for over four years, and she has been a free-lance writer for several years, beginning her writing career as a young teen-ager. She also worked for Love Unveiled, a ministry to women in undeveloped countries around the world. Amanda brings experience as well as a passion for ministry to the work of Ruby for Women, and she has a heart for reaching out and touching the hearts and lives of women everywhere. Amanda will be working with all of our writers on their submissions, as well as assisting in keeping the Ruby for Women blog and website up-to-date with new information daily.

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor When all of 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. Gracie is 13 years old and Annie is 11. They were both born in China, and we were able to travel to China two times to bring our daughters home. We live in northern Indiana in a small farming community where I work on Ruby for Women in my home office. I have recently had the opportunity to offer my handmade and refashioned garments and accessories in a local shop, the Apple Pie Boutique, under the creative name of “Vintage Mama’s Cottage.” My personal blog is at www.mamaslittletreasures.com where I frequently post tutorials and patterns for crafts and other sewing projects, as well as weekly reflections on life as a woman, wife, mother, and daughter of the King. 112

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 for Women may be reproduced, copied, or shared without the permission of the author. Advertising information is available by contacting our Administrative Assistant, Karen Burdge at karen@rubyforwomen.com Questions? Email Nina @ editor@rubyforwomen.com or Amanda @ ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Ruby for Women is published by rubyforwomen.com All submission inquiries should be directed to Nina Newton, Sr. Editor Ruby for Women editor@rubyforwomen.com or Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Advertising inquiries should be directed to karen@rubyforwomen.com Creative Consultant, Katherine Corrigan of Blog Art by Katherine http://katherinescorner.com/blog-art/

Please visit the Ruby for Women blog for information about submissions, advertising, or to read previous issues of the Ruby for Women magazine. www.rubyforwomen Website design by Blog Art by Katherine

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