Ruby for Women, January, 2013

Ruby for Women A voice for every Christian woman January, 2013

Ruby for Women A voice for every Christian woman November, 2012

. herworth worthisisfar farabove aboverubies.” rubies.” “ .“.. . ..her Proverbs31:10 31:10 Proverbs

Ruby for Women January, 2013 www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

In the stillness of the winter months, let us turn our hearts and our thoughts to the One who alone brings peace and tranquility to our souls.

Please let us know how we can be an encouragement to you this month. We also would like to invite you to visit us in our community of Christian women for fun, friendship, conversation, encouragement, inspiration, and prayer support.

Won’t you join us soon? www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

In This Issue . . .

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Title

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In a Moment of Reflection Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

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January New Beginnings Sharon L. Patterson

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Prayer of the Extravagant Spender Sharon L. Patterson

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Here’s What’s Cooking in the Kitchen of Ruby for Women!

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When Faith Falls Down and Gets Back Up Again Sharon L. Patterson

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“Picture Books in Winter” Robert Louis Stevenson

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“Winter Time” Robert Louis Stevenson

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Lonely Hearts Amanda Stephan

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Lonely Hearts Book Review Donna Theriot-McBroom

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Ask Beth Beth Brubaker

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January 2013 Giveaway at Katherine’s Corner

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Year End Finish Line Lynn Mosher

Senior Editor: Nina Newton Assistant Editor: Amanda Johnson Advertising Administrator: Angela Morris Creative Assistant: Katherine Corrigan Family Fun Editor: Beth Brubaker Gardening: Dorothy Kurchak Devotions: Lynn Mosher, Deborah McCarragher Poetry: Keith Wallis, Lee E. Shilo Quilting: Laura Brandt Feature Writers: Connie Arnold, Taylor DeVine, Sheila Watson, Theresa Ceniccola, Carin LeRoy, Sally Bruce, Angela Morris, Sharon L. Patterson, Elizabeth Baker, Maxine Young, Gloria Doty, Amy Lignor, Kendra Peterson, Christena Hammes, Rosann Cunningham, Debbie Anne Buchner, Amanda Stephan, Tricia Goyer, Michelle Lazurek, Lisa Simpkins, Kristin Bridgman, Sally Ann Bruce, Debra Ann Elliott, Corallie Buchanan, Kathleen Kohler, Heather King, Richetta Blackmon

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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 community website at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com where you can connect with other Christian women.

Ruby for Women 2731 W 700 N Columbia City, IN 46725 editor@rubyforwomen.com 1

Page

Title

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Grandma’s Sugar Cookies Gloria Doty

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Wine

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Keith Wallis To Run the Rainbow Keith Wallis

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Celebrate Winter with this Snowflake Wreath mamas*little*treasures

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Fame and Fortune: Page 27 The Danger of a Wrong Emphasis Corallie Buchanan

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Winter Potato Soup from the kitchen of Anne B.

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Coconut Pumpkin Bread Pudding from the kitchen of Vintage Mama

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In this New Year, Stop Taking Responsibility for Things You Cannot Control Debbie Luxton

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Burr, It’s Cold Outside!

Dorothy Kurchak

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Word Logic Puzzle Beth Brubaker

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True Lover’s Knot: Block #16 Wedding Block Sampler Quilt Laura Brandt

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The Cat that Wouldn’t Play Mimi Spurlock

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On Temporary Loan Sharon L. Patterson

The Snowman Walked Away Gloria Doty Page 37

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Thinking Ahead to Valentine’s Day . . .

Stephanie Lynn

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Footprints in the Mud: Mom Aerobics Beth Brubaker Page 43

Page 45

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Within My Grasp Keith Wallis

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Page 50 Cheddar Broccoli Soup from the kitchen of Vintage Mama

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Chicken a La King with Popovers from the kitchen of Donna Godfrey

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You Can Tell You’re Having a Bad Day When . . . .

Amanda Stephan

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Page 51 Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons from the kitchen of Vintage Mama

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Snake by the Numbers Puzzle Beth Brubaker

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Concerning Accountability Sharon L. Patterson

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The Gate Sharon L. Patterson

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Ruby Pearls Beth Brubaker

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Upfront Thoughts for 2013 Sharon L. Patterson

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Top 3 Things to Make Your New Year Resolutions Come Page 35 True: Goal Setting Submitted by Lisa Simpkins

“I’m Just a Child!”

Amanda Stephan

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Title

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Word Logic Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

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Snake by the Numbers Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

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Ruby for Women Community

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Meet the Ruby for Women Writers

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Credits and Copyrights

Page 58

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Ruby for Women We want to hear your story, because God has given a voice to every Christian woman.

Let us welcome you into our community of Christian women! * Daily inspirational posts * Featured bloggers * FREE monthly online magazine * Community groups and forums * Crafts, recipes, poetry, and stories

Join us today at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

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In a Moment of Reflection

by Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

For many years I wondered why my observations of “Christianity” seemed to be quite different from the words I was reading in Scripture, as well as the words I was hearing from the pulpit on a weekly basis. Now I realize that may sound a bit judgmental and I recognize that possibility . . . . . but there is a reason that I experienced it all that way.

As a child, I was not taken to church and never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. There was never anything particularly “sinful” about the lifestyle of our family, but church and the Bible were just not a significant part of our home.

Even so, I recall at a very young age sensing that there was “more” than what was part of my world at that time. It is difficult to express how a child of five or six could sense the presence of God when I had never really been told that much about Him . . . but somewhere at the edges of my little brain there were snatches of songs that I had heard or stories about Christmas that just seemed to “stick” there.

I do recall that my Grandma (although eventually she was to lose her battle with alcoholism) really liked to listen to Southern Gospel music on the old record player. The scratchy and sometimes skipping 45s would be played over and over and over, while those harmonies soared above the frequently depressing circumstances of her life.

Perhaps that is where I learned that Jesus loved me. Perhaps that is why I one day was playing in the back yard of our little lake cottage, and as I was sitting on the broken down picnic table playing with my dolls, I felt that Jesus came by for a visit. I know – a child’s imagination – but it was somehow so real to me that I have never forgotten it.

But as life has a way of doing, the years passed by and the realities of life in a small town in Michigan

and the realities of life in a small town in Michigan for this little girl from a very humble family took me in directions that were not always helpful.

But then, when I was 17, my step-father passed away quite suddenly from heart failure, and I was thrust into a place of serious questioning about the meaning of life and my place in this great big sometimes scary world. It was at that time that I first recall actually hearing the Gospel, spelled out for me so clearly and plainly.

Well, there was a time of misunderstanding, when I entered that old-time Baptist church for the first few times and I was inundated with the loving embraces of all those present . . . . and asked repeatedly, “Are you saved???” And in my naiveté, I had no clue what they were talking about and quite seriously replied by asking them, “Saved . . . . from what?”

Eventually I began to understand and on the day that I was presented with the question, “Will you give your heart to Jesus today?” my response was immediate, sincere, and total. But, it began a journey of questioning that has not yet ended, and I trust will never end until I meet Him face-toface.

But that is how I came to the place of looking around me and wondering why we seem frequently to say one thing and do so many others. Why do we hurt each other with our words and our actions, when we can speak so eloquently of God’s grace, love, and forgiveness, and then we do not extend that grace, love, and forgiveness to one another?

This is a long story, with much still to be told, but perhaps it will be a bit of encouragement and inspiration to others who may be questioning these things, so for now I simply share with you this moment of reflection on where I’ve been and how I got here.

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Please join us in praying for Amanda Johnson, our assistant editor, during this time of loss in her life. Her companion and friend, her dog Dakota, became very sick over the Christmas holidays, and he died shortly thereafter.

Dakota was Amanda’s best friend, they did everything together; they traveled, played, and worked together, and Dakota’s loss brings tremendous sorrow into Amanda’s life. Won’t you join us in the Ruby for Women community as we pray together for God to bring comfort, healing, and peace to Amanda’s heart?

Thank you for your prayers, and we look forward to having Amanda back to work soon here at Ruby for Women.

January’s New Beginnings

by Sharon L. Patterson

Prayer of the Extravagant Spender

J - Journey to Jesus through the vehicle of

by Sharon L. Patterson

prayer early in the morning because that is where the promise of His grace and forgiveness wait for me each and every day.

“Lord, help me remember

A - Anticipate what God has in store rather than be anxious about what problems the enemy may have planned for me today.

what a spender I can be.

N - Negate worrisome thoughts with faith-filled promises from God’s Word and watch hope overtake doubt.

U - Unleash the creative things Jesus has for me to get out of my heart and on to paper by beginning with what He puts in front of me today.

A - Allow time for a real friendship connection through face to face conversation rather than a tech-check of friends’ activities on Facebook.

Please, help me to curb my urge to splurge when I desire to buy everything in view of my eye.

R - Relinquish my right to be right in favor of

But also, may others fail

my need to give and receive forgiveness. The profits will have a much higher value.

to buy those things till I can,

Y - Yield to His plan that I sought early this morning rather than mine that I planned when I walked out of my place of prayer.

when they go on sale.”

Amen 6

Here’s What’s Cooking in the Kitchen of Ruby for Women Every month in the Ruby for Women community you will find lots of new recipes that our members share with one another. If you haven’t visited us yet in our little online neighborhood, here is your official invitation!

We would love to welcome you into the fellowship and friendship with other Christian women where you will discover prayer warriors who uphold one another in prayer daily, as well as great book reviews, craft projects, conversation, parenting ideas and all kinds of familyfriendly topics of discussion.

Here are a few recipes from Ruby’s Kitchen for you to try with your family on the blustery days of winter. Hope to see you in the neighborhood very soon!

Warm up your family on a wintery day with our favorite

Chicken Pot Pie What you need: * 1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed * 2 ¼ cups cubed cooked chicken * 1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed * 1 can (4 ½ oz.) mushrooms, drained * ¼ cup butter * ¼ cup all-purpose flour * ¾ tsp dried thyme * 1 can (14 ½ oz.) chicken broth * 2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules * Pastry for single crust pie (9 inches) Let’s make it! In a greased deep 2 ½ qt baking dish, combine the vegetables, chicken, onions and mushrooms; set aside. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and thyme until smooth.

Gradually add broth and bouillon. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Pour over vegetable mixture.

Roll out pastry to fit top of dish. Place over filling; trim and flute edges. Cut slits in top. Bake at 450 degrees for 18 – 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

6 – 8 servings.

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Super Gooey Mac and Cheese from the kitchen of Christena Hammes Every kid in the world loves macaroni and cheese! And here’s a recipe that is extra yummy, super ooey-gooey, from Christena Hammes. Try this out on your family when the wind is blowing and the snow is swirling outside your kitchen window. Perfect for a winter day!

What you need: * 1 lb. elbow macaroni * 2 cans cheddar cheese soup * 2 cans evaporated milk, 12 oz. each * 1 ¼ stick butter * 1 tsp each, salt and pepper * 2 c. extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded * 2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded * 2 c. pepper jack cheese, shredded Let’s make it!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cook pasta according to directions on box, just until done. It should not be over cooked or become mushy, as it will absorb some of the cheesy liquid in the oven.

3. Combine soup, evaporated milk, butter, salt, and pepper in a large microwaveable bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving a small vent, and cook for 6 – 7 minutes until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm-to-hot throughout (if making a half batch, 4 minutes in the microwave should do it).

4. Add to cooked pasta.

5. Add cheeses, one at a time, stirring constantly until everything is melted and incorporated.

Bake for 40 – 45 minutes.

FOR CROCK POT: Follow directions, steps 1 – 5; leave in crock pot on low and cook for 4 hours.

www.theresaceniccola.com 8

When Faith Falls Down and Gets Back Up Again

by Sharon L. Patterson

It happens to all of us who call ourselves Christ followers: something unexpected hits us behind the knees, causing our faith to fall down.

Perhaps it is a betrayal of the most hurtful kind that renders you weak-kneed. Maybe it is the untimely loss of someone you love that catapults you from a mountain peak of faith to a bottomless pit of doubt. It can even be a devastating disappointment or unfulfilled expectation that prostrates our faith.

It is my heart’s prayer that if you should find your faith has fallen down, this article will be a hand of hope extended to your soul’s faith to get back up again.

The wisdom of God revealed in Proverbs: 24:17 tells us: “For though a righteous man (woman) falls seven times, he rises again.” (NIV)

The start over provides encouragement to get up and dust off our shaken knees of faith. It propels us to move out of the circumstances that have temporarily devastated our strength to stand.

Finally, it empowers us to walk in step with God once more.

I love that forgiveness originated not only in the mind of God but it materialized out of His heart into more than an awesome idea. God sent the mercy of His heart in the form of His flesh and blood son who would give forgiveness credibility enough to extend to every man and woman who has ever lived.

God did not just send a “what” but a “who.” Jesus gained absolute credibility as he walked the earth, experiencing the same hurts, hurdles and poor choices not of himself, but all of humanity.

He chose to forgive every offense, betrayal, lie, hit and hurt. He had every excuse to do otherwise because he was totally innocent.

God never desires for our faith to fall. He does not try to trip us up. That is the work of another who watches and waits for us with baited snares hoping to take us down. This arch enemy of our soul, the devil, has devious plans and cruel helpers (human and demonic) to try to keep us down.

He believed in it so much, wanted it for humanity so much that he even died to extend its availability to all of us. He rose from death with victory over every scheme and plan of the devil to destroy our faith. No other person could have done what Jesus did.

He uses whatever and whoever is at his disposal.

He uses innocence and he uses deception. He is not picky but he is precise. However, there is One who is greater who has a very different design for us.

I can go to him for a do-over because he is the personification of God’s forgiveness. I can also give others a do-over because the source for me to do that is the same…Jesus. Because of Him, our fallen faith can get back up again.

Even before the enemy’s proposed trap is set for us, God has provided a built in spring to bounce our faith to its feet once again. It is called forgiveness and it reboots our faith when taken in by us or given out through us.

When Jesus was here, He did not choose supermen to follow him, but folks as fickle as you and I made up the closest of his followers.

Remember Peter’s great statement that he would never leave Jesus?

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“If your faith is presently in a prone position, won’t you pray, appropriate forgiveness and apply it where needed? It does not matter what caused it to fall: it does matter that you rise up.”

His broken profession materialized just a few hours after the bold declaration he had made. He denied Jesus. He could not forgive himself until he experienced Jesus forgiving him.

The New Testament records the change when Peter accepted His Savior’s forgiveness and used it toward others. What a do-over he got!

Peter’s faith became the picture of the kind of faith the church would be built upon: common sinners, saved by an uncommon Savior through an unmatchable act out of the love and forgiveness of God, living in the kind of testable faith that might fall but could get back up time and time again.

I can not top that unmatchable act. Any human remnants of forgiveness I might possess are as limited as my humanity. Possibly, there could be enough power to forgive an ant who bites me once for about 2 seconds.

God only knows what might be left after that. His forgiveness, appropriated to me and through me is quite another matter: it is unlimited.

My testimony consists of two things concerning a testable faith: it has fallen at various times throughout my sixty-three years on this earth; it has also risen to its feet through forgiveness beyond my understanding applied to others and even myself at times.

If your faith is presently in a prone position, won’t you pray, appropriate forgiveness and apply it where needed? It does not matter what caused it to fall: it does matter that you rise up.

God is anxious to walk with you in your risen faith on some new ground He can’t wait to show you!

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.

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Picture Books in Winter

by Robert Louis Stevenson Summer fading, winter comes-Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs, Window robins, winter rooks, And the picture story-books.

Water now is turned to stone Nurse and I can walk upon; Still we find the flowing brooks In the picture story-books.

All the pretty things put by, Wait upon the children's eye, Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks, In the picture story-books.

We may see how all things are Seas and cities, near and far, And the flying fairies' looks, In the picture story-books.

How am I to sing your praise, Happy chimney-corner days, Sitting safe in nursery nooks, Reading picture story-books?

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Winter Time

by Robert Louis Stevenson Late lies the wintry sun a-bed, A frosty, fiery sleepy-head; Blinks but an hour or two; and then, A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies, At morning in the dark I rise; And shivering in my nakedness, By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit To warm my frozen bones a bit; Or with a reindeer-sled, explore The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap Me in my comforter and cap; The cold wind burns my face, and blows Its frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod; Thick blows my frosty breath abroad; And tree and house, and hill and lake, Are frosted like a wedding cake.

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Lonely Hearts

by Amanda Stephan One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors, and some very yummy apple pie! When widow Becky Callis moves to a new town, her intentions were to start over in a place where she’s not reminded of her dead husband. Her kids, however, take it as a chance to help her start over romantically. They soon realize it’s easier to find someone to like their mother than it is to figure out which man is best for her. To the delight of both kids, young and handsome cowboy Scott Boone makes his interest plain and starts courting Becky almost immediately.

Jack Anderson and Becky have been friends since childhood. When they’re reunited years after their lives have taken very different paths, this lonely preacher begins to wonder if God has brought her back into his life for a reason. Pearce Morgan is a single parent raising his young daughter. Divorced and disillusioned, an unlikely friendship arises between him and Becky when his shy daughter decides she loves Becky and her kids. Lonely Hearts is a heartwarming story of second chances and choices, and includes an exclusive apple pie recipe!

Here’s an excerpt from Lonely Hearts by Amanda Stephan: Becky Callis was new in town and she felt her intrusion.

A bearded man outside the hardware store stopped sweeping, broom held in mid-air and watched them narrowly as they drove past, perhaps wondering if she were the type to plunder and loot his shop.

A couple of older women that had been chatting outside a tiny florist shop suddenly turned to stone, their mouths gaping open, snickering about what kind of woman would be caught dead in such an old pick-up truck. Becky even imagined one of their tongues hung out. She repressed a giggle and waved, receiving an incredulous half-wave from one of the women, and no acknowledgement from the others.

She hated being stared at, and tried to keep a somewhat pleasant smile pasted on her freckled face as she drove through. She could feel her fair skin literally burning with embarrassment. Her thirteen year old daughter, Jen, gave her a twisted frown.

“Mom, what is wrong with these people?” Her pixie face turned dark red as a teenage boy waved at her. “They act like they’ve never seen strangers before.” Becky’s grin grew larger and more realistic as she gave a two-finger salute to the policemen leaning on his squad car with arms crossed as if daring her to go faster than the posted thirty mile an hour sign. Obediently, she stopped at the one red light the town could boast of and waited for it to turn green.

“I guess,” she said with a shrug, watching an old man sitting outside a diner pretend to read a newspaper. He spit tobacco juice into a jar and set it down next to his chair, his bushy eyebrows making it very clear he was looking at them. “They don’t get too many newcomers here.” Jen grimaced and pushed her sleeping brother’s head off her shoulder onto the vinyl headrest instead.

“Well that’s fine, but they don’t have to stare. Makes me feel like we’re pets in a pet shop.” “Or beef at a cattle auction.” Becky laughed at her discomfort, noticing that the green light flickered faintly before going completely out.

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Amanda Stephan Award winning, bestselling Christian author Amanda Stephan is just a normal, everyday country girl. Amanda resides in Middle Tennessee with her husband and children, who closely resemble several of the seven dwarfs (Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy / Happy), three cats (only because hubby refuses to get one of his own), one dog, and multiple roosters that love to roost under their bedroom windows.

Amanda loves to laugh and have a good time, and loves to read a good book. She finds writing to be an opportunity to share God’s love for others in a fun and entertaining way. Her first novel, The Price of Trust, was published in May of 2010; her second novel, Lonely Hearts, was released at the end of October, 2011, and she is currently working on a Christian paranormal entitled The Haunting of Maddie Branson as well as a three book family saga series.

You can connect with Amanda by visiting her on her Facebook author page at http://www.facebook.com/creativehome momma and follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan Her website is at http://www.booksbyamanda.com and you can find out more about her writing at http://www.thepriceoftrust.com You can also connect with Amanda in the Ruby for Women community on her personal page or in the Ruby Book Club and Reviews Group in the Ruby for Women community.

www.booksbyamanda.com 14

Lonely Hearts

by Amanda Stephan

Book Review

by Donna McBroom-Theriot Not having read a “Christian” romance before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with the wonderfully innocent love story that unfolded between the pages.

The story was far from mundane due to a young and confident, but impressionable young man whose anger at rejection was all too real, as well as an older, grandfatherly character who was an anchor to the story.

“And I think she likes him, too. Well, now who do we pick for her? Jack, Scott, or Pearce? I didn’t know it could be so complicated!”

If there was a limit on how many times a person could be shocked in one afternoon, Scott was well on his way. His drawn out, “Oh,” told her . . . . “ The book was an easy read, reminiscent of a soft, afternoon breeze; the characters were charming and human, along with the setting of a beautiful little town. There just enough suspense thrown in to keep you on your toes.

“Most people would have turned their back on God.” She picked up the picture and stared at the heartless woman who hid behind the beautiful face. “But why do you keep Eva’s picture?”

“That’s one thing I hated when I got into trouble. My mom was always so creative in finding work for me to do. Weeding was the worst. What’d he do?”

“To remind me that sin can look beautiful on the outside, but it’s as rotten as a dead horse on the inside,” he smiled at her, his eyes dark with pain and remorse.

“He was misbehaving in school. Not listening.

Giving an attitude, sassing, you name it, he was doing it . . . .sometimes it’s hard to fit into a new school. He was probably just trying to impress the other kids.”

The writing was great, and I found the story to have a nice solid ending. The book reminded me a bit of Little House on the Prairie; not the time frame, but the way it makes your heart feel – and that is important in a story of this nature.

“You know, I’d agree with you if he went to public school, but he’s homeschooled.”

I definitely recommend the book to those of you who enjoy a soft, easy read with romance and faith thrown in.

Visit Donna at her blog, “My Life, One Story at a Time,” where you will find more book reviews, author interviews, and lots of yummy southern cooking recipes! http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com 15

Ask Beth

by Beth Brubaker

Dear Beth, When are bulk-buys worth it? I hear you can save a lot of money, but at the same time, I hear people tossing out a lot of it because they couldn't use it all! So which way is the right way?

Sensible Shopper Dear Sensible, Bulk buys are not for everyone. For those in small living spaces without a lot of storage or are single, or sharing apartment space, I don't normally recommend bulk buying, unless you're splitting it with others.

Bulk buys aren't always money savers either - you really need to look at the labels. Price per ounce or pound can give you a better idea of how good of a bargain it is, and though most bulk stores take coupons, if you are a hard-core coupon clipper, it might be cheaper to buy in a regular grocery store.

However, there are benefits of buying bulk if you have the storage and freezer space. I can feed my family of four quite well, and most times the meat is a better quality for approximately the same price as some grocery store sale prices. If you decide buying in bulk is for you, here are a few tips: Get an extra freezer. Bulk buys take up a lot of freezer space, and the new models out today don't use a lot of extra energy. This also helps during a feast / famine time when you get a bonus or overtime check and can buy extra food; you can save the extra frozen groceries when times are lean.

Divide and conquer. Take packs of meat and divide them up into portions you normally use in a meal.

I can feed a family of four on two chicken breasts, and if there's eight breasts to a package, that's four meals - and I don't have to defrost and refreeze the entire package to get them out!

Find extra storage for dry goods. Whether it's food, paper goods or cleaning supplies, you'll need extra space to store these items. Most bulk stores supply to restaurants, and no one needs to keep a thousand paper plates in their cupboard!

Plan for the future. If it's June and you know you're going to have a cookout in July, get the burgers while the getting is good - when July hits, there will be no burgers on the shelves - trust me! The same goes for any other holiday or special occasion that strips the shelves of a certain item. When you buy bulk you can get things early, before the rush - then you'll know you have plenty when the time comes.

Share. Most times you want that bargain, but you know you'll never use that much. Work out a deal with family and friends and have everyone chip in to share. That way everyone gets a good deal, and nothing has time to go bad because it's being used. They give you the money needed for their share ahead of time, you buy it, divide it, and they come and pick it up! If they do this regularly you can ask if they would chip in for the yearly fee most bulk stores charge for their card - most people don't mind!

Good luck with your bulk buys - may they bless you and others!

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January Giveaway at Katherine’s Corner

http://katherinescorner.com/2013/01/04/january-giveaway-for-2013 17

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Year-End Finish Line

by Lynn Mosher

How is your year ending? With what was it filled?

Which side of the scale tipped over with the most weight…the positive side or the negative side?

Each year usually brings its own blend of… * tears and smiles * faith and unbelief * strength and weakness * pride and humility * peace and unrest * joy and distress * a positive attitude and a negative one * love and hate * forgiveness and bitterness But each year ends a little differently.

Some years, we feel like we are riding high and we almost fly across that year-end finish line . . .

Though each year may hold its share of trials and/or tragedies, we endure the hardships with the help of the Father. At times, we are broken and stumble in agony across the finish line as Derek Redmond (Olympics 1992), who was helped by his father…

Paul said, “What a wonderful God we have He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.”

(2 Cor. 1:3 TLB) Not only do we have a heavenly Father that comforts and strengthens us, we also have a heavenly host as our cheering section, as the writer of Hebrews tells us, “Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.” (Heb. 12:1 TLB) No matter how this year played out for you, the New Year offers you a new beginning. Whatever it brings your way, the Father will carry you through it all and bring a host of others to lift you up in prayer and encourage you in your walk.

Jon ‘ShakataGaNai’ Davis: Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes, the year goes by so quickly that we feel like we zoom across the finish line as if we were in a race car. . .

Occasionally, the year has such a crushing effect on us that we crawl across the finish line like Holland Reynolds . . .

My prayer for each of you is that your back be to the contrary circumstances of the year now closing, that your feet be firmly planted in the present, that your heart be guarded with the hope of a better new year, that your hands fulfill your calling, that your feet follow the Lord’s steps in all things, that your spirit be filled with faith, joy, and thanksgiving, that your life be filled with blessings, and that you will experience a new and special touch of the Lord’s presence upon all you do.

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Grandma’s Sugar Cookies

by Gloria Doty The unmistakable aroma of warm from the oven cookies hit me even before I burst through the back door into the kitchen. I had just walked to our driveway down the gravel road from the corner where the school bus dropped me off. I had been hoping there would be something good to eat waiting for me. To my absolute delight, the round oak kitchen table was covered with big, beautiful creamy - colored sugar cookies.

These weren’t just any sugar cookies; they were the ones that were as big as saucers and as light as clouds. The tops were covered with sparkly grains of sugar and the lightly browned bottoms had the design of the cookie sheets baked into them. Of all the different kinds of cookies that my mother and grandmother made, these were my favorite!

If Grandma baked these cookies in the summer, she would let me help mix the dough and then roll it out. Then came the best part; I got to hold the short-stemmed glass goblet upside down and cut out the perfect circles. After Grandma carefully moved the delicate circles to a cookie sheet, I was allowed to sprinkle the tops with sugar.

I never questioned the use of a goblet to cut them out as opposed to a biscuit cutter; I just thought that you had to use one if you wanted to make sugar cookies. As an adult, I am certain that Grandma used the goblet because it’s top was bigger in circumference and therefore resulted in the large, round cookies.

I have used Grandma’s recipe many times to make the cookies for my children and now for my grandchildren. I always use the goblet to cut the circles and when asked, I always tell the story of my grandma’s cookies and this is the way she made them.

The last time I made sugar cookies, I was in a bit of a hurry and decided to not bother with the glass goblet. All of my long-stemmed goblets were out of reach at the back of the highest shelf in the cupboard, so I grabbed the biscuit cutter instead.

I hesitated as I started to cut the first circle, then I sighed and got my step stool. I reached to the back of the shelf and extracted a goblet. I smiled as I cut the cookies and knew that Grandma was smiling, too. I just couldn’t do it any other way. The cookies wouldn’t have been as big and even, though I’m sure they would have tasted the same. Somehow I knew they would not evoke the same memories as the big cookies always did.

Now, as a grandmother myself, I sometimes wish that I were able to take my grandchildren to faraway places for wonderful experiences and memories they will never forget, but I know in my heart that the memories which last the longest are usually the simplest and can come from something as simple as cutting out cookies with an upsidedown goblet.

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Wine Wine a chalice shared friends and sweetness Passover begins.

Wine a soaked sponge solitude and pungent blood and pain.

Eternity touches earth there is no smile upon the sacrifice.

God sees red, anger appeased in substitution.

Father sees son, aching with every paindrop knowing for some it will be not enough.

In the brash fairground playground battleground of earth there are fairer things which are not as fair, there are things more beautiful which have not this beauty, there are healing things which cannot heal the soul.

Wine a chalice shared friends and sweetness on a Sunday evening.

Wine which for this instant is not wine but red with words crimson promises.

Bread which for this instant is not bread but holy white a coverlet upon an unmade bed.

In the dark of blood there is Light.

In the remembrance of pain there is solace and wine offers the taste of eternity. ~ Keith Wallis

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To Run the Rainbow

by Keith Wallis I want to dance the rainbow again not grounded by grey disappointment and anchored with the black dog holding my leash.

The sky in dreary tears curtains the day with disguise; what is, is not what should be, could be, would be with different eyes.

I want to run the rainbow again, hear the piercing cymbal ruling the melancholy tolling of the relentless drum.

Persistent pounding charts the path, casts its shadow and the horizon closes in.

The colour goes and I cry for the rainbow.

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Celebrate winter!

Make this beautiful

Snowflake Wreath with mamas*little*treasures After the holidays our homes can sometimes feel a bit lonely and empty once all of the decorations have been put away for another year. And January can be really cold and snowy. What better way to chase away the winter blues than by making a cheerful snowflake wreath? Let’s celebrate the beauty of the season, and remember . . . spring is just around the corner!

This is a super simple project, made from supplies that you might already have in your sewing or craft cupboard. If you need to purchase a few materials, here is the list to get you started: * One Styrofoam ring, any dimension you would like * 1 – 2 yards of sheer fabric (we used 1 yard of sheer light blue and 1 yard of sheer white) * Copy paper for the snowflakes * Spray glitter (available from hobby and craft stores) * Variety of ribbon for wrapping the wreath and for the bows * Variety of jewels, gems, and / or buttons * Craft glue or hot glue gun * Small straight pins * Fabric scissors * Paper scissors Gather up your supplies and let’s get started!

STEP #1: Using the templates below (or using your own imagination!), cut out 20 – 30 snowflakes from plain white copy paper. Make some of them smaller and some of them larger so that you can layer them on the wreath.

STEP #2: Lay the snowflakes out on tin foil or news paper and carefully spray each one with spray glitter. We used one called “Diamond Dust” which was clear glitter, and silver glitter spray. Be sure to coat them thoroughly to give an adequate covering of glitter.

Let the snowflakes dry while you complete the next few steps.

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STEP #3: Cut or tear the sheer fabric into 3” wide strips. We tore our strips and then placed one white strip on top of one blue strip to begin wrapping the Styrofoam ring.

STEP #4: Begin by pinning the strips of fabric on the backside of the Styrofoam ring and then wrapping diagonally around the ring. When you come to the end of the strips of fabric, simply pin another strip (or double strips as we did) in place and continue wrapping the Styrofoam ring until it is completely wrapped in the sheer fabric.

STEP #5: Once you have the Styrofoam ring completely wrapped in sheer fabric, you can begin to wrap the ring with coordinating ribbon if you want. We did not completely cover the ring with the ribbon wrap because we wanted some of the sheer fabric to show, but the ribbon added a nice touch, so we spaced it out all around the ring. We used the same technique of pinning the ribbon in place to begin wrapping, and pinned in place at the end.

STEP #6: When you have the ring wrapped the way you want it, with fabric and ribbon, you will want to decide on how many bows you want. We used three, one made from the sheer light blue fabric, one made from the sheer white ribbon with silver and blue polka dots, and one made from the silver ribbon.

STEP #7: Take two strips of fabric and tie them into a large bow. Trim the ends and open the bow so it is large and “fluffy.” Make a bow from each of your other ribbons (if you have used ribbon). Place the large fabric bow on the lower right side of the wreath, and attach with hot glue. Pin in place. Add the other bows beside the large bow, attach with hot glue, and pin in place. If you would like to add a vintage or rhinestone button to the bows, you can also use hot glue to attach them near the bows or on top of the center of each bow.

STEP #8: Now it is time to begin adding the snowflakes to your wreath! Layer a smaller snowflake on top of a larger snowflake, silver on white, or white on silver, and pin in place all around the wreath. If you pin them in place before using glue, you can rearrange them if necessary. When you have all the snowflakes arranged around the wreath, use the hot glue gun to add gems or buttons in the center of each snowflake.

STEP #9: Take a piece of narrow ribbon, approximately 6” – 8” long, fold in half, and place on the center top, back of the wreath for a hanging loop. Mark the location for placement and glue in place with the hot glue gun. Pin into place for added security and allow to cool.

STEP #10: Add any additional trims or embellishments you would like, and hang up your beautiful Snowflake Wreath to celebrate winter!

For more craft tutorials, please visit the mamas*little*treasures blog at www.mamaslittletreasures.com 24

Fame and Fortune: The Danger of a Wrong Emphasis

by Corallie Buchannan

It is amazing how fragile the state of life is. This morning I met a very interesting lady. Based on outward appearances, society would have passed this lady over. She had experienced 4 strokes in 10 years, and her outer body was definitely looking worse for wear.

In the same way, holding onto and taking pride in earthly things is only going to get us into trouble.

You would not know it to look at her, but she once was a woman very high up in the media industry only 12 years ago. With a $12,000 clothing allowance per year, she was no small deal.

Don’t be silly enough to put yourself in the same position. Don’t spend your energy and your life on storing up things here on earth.

Yet here was this woman, falling apart at the seams, her hands constantly shaking from her multiple strokes. She was a shadow of her former and more powerful self, reliant on others to help her.

This got me thinking, very seriously, in fact. How many people in this world take pride in how powerful and self-sufficient they are?

Yet in one moment, their whole life can change.

One minute, they are the cream of the crop, and the next minute they are society’s garbage.

Why do people take such pride in their achievements, when in a single moment these supports can be stripped away?

These ‘achievements’ are the props that hold up our egos; without them we feel vulnerable and helpless.

This lady was given some amazing opportunities during her lifetime. Yet in a moment, her body failed her, and everything she held close to her was stripped away until there was nothing left.

Don’t waste your time chasing after material possessions, fame, and fortune. It doesn’t matter when in an instant it can all be gone.

You can’t take it with you, and after you are gone, all of your effort to obtain it will have been wasted.

Don’t put so much emphasis on the here and now. The phrase “Live for the moment” is not necessarily a good philosophy. There is more to life than just this present moment.

Getting as much stuff as you can and storing it away just in case…you are honestly wasting your time.

Work for things that have eternal value. Pour your energy into them. I would much rather spend my time and energy raising my daughter in the right way, than going out and earning heaps of money.

For me, there is no better way.

When Jesus was ascending into heaven, He said to His disciples “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” (John 20:17)

Maybe we all need a change of focus in the new year!

In this, Jesus was saying that the disciples were not to hold onto His earthly body.

http://coralliebuchanan.wordpress.com/2012/07/0 5/fame-and-fortune-the-danger-of-a-wrongemphasis

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Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose

by Corallie Thornton

Read what others are saying about Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose by Corallie Thornton “As a child Corallie Thornton barely survived the pain of living with her dysfunctional family. Life became even more unbearable when she reached her middle teens. But though many troubles, trials and the grace of a loving Father God she survived and eventually became a dynamic and confident young Christian woman. She is now committed to using her experiences to help others to victory.

Godly Women is a touching book designed to help women (and men, too) of all ages identify the basic lie they believe about God, themselves and others. Healing from the past is a process that cannot begin until we come out of denial and allow God access to deal with our past hurts and lies believed. Corallie speaks God’s truth and uses helpful word pictures to enable understanding of the plight of hurting people who feel so bound to the past.

Godly Women is scripturally sound and I thoroughly recommend it as a significant healing tool for those who have been neglected or abused, those who minister to them and also those who would just be a friend.”

Dell Sadler, Omega Writers

Full-time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Over the years, she has shared her heart with magazines such as the Queensland Baptist, Christian Woman, Footprints, Mum to Mum, Captivated, Being Women, the Online Bible College student magazine, Deeper Devotions Student Ministries, amidst other magazines and ministries.

Corallie is 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 with husband David and daughter Esther in Brisbane, Australia.

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Winter Potato Soup from the kitchen of Anne B. My husband calls this: "Great Gourmet Soup." He really likes it! I can't even remember the last time I made this recipe. Several years ago a lady that I worked for had me help her prepare her potato soup. I was able to have a taste and it was very tasty, though I can't remember how we did it. So today I just did it my way!

What you need: * 4 - 5 lg. white potatoes cut into small chunks * 2 cups cooked mashed potatoes * One medium sweet onion diced * 4 stalks of diced celery * 1 diced red pepper * 2 cloves of garlic * 4 carrots * 1-1/4 cup frozen French style cut green beans * 1/4 head of cut up cauliflower * 1/8 cup red lentils from pkg. * 1/8 cup split green peas / beans from pkg. * 6 Oktoberfest Sausages (boiled and baked the night before) * Salt & pepper to taste * Cajun spice * Italian seasoning * Lemon herb seasoning * A few bay leaves would have been good to use, but I forgot them! Dill Weed, too, would have been good but I didn't have any. * Milk or chicken broth if soup gets too thick, I added milk as I had no chicken broth on hand.

Let’s make it: Cook cut up potatoes in water, when cooked turn heat. to med. Then in fry pan cook the onion in olive oil till golden brown, add garlic, celery and red pepper, sautÊ together lightly then add it to the potatoes in water giving it a stir. Add uncooked carrots, and mashed potatoes stirring with a whisk to cause them to break up into the water.

Add dried lentils and green peas. In same fry pan with a bit of olive oil lightly cook cauliflower & frozen green beans then add to soup. Add cut up sausages and seasonings to soup and stir occasionally making sure dried beans don't stick to the bottom of the pot. Soup will thicken as the lentils cook so you can add some milk or chicken broth to thin out to your liking. Cook on stove at low heat until carrots and dried lentils and beans are softened.

This makes for a hearty, satisfying soup with everything in it you need for a balanced meal. Hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

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Coconut Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Nonstick cooking spray 10 slices light Italian bread, such as Village Hearth brand, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/2 cup flaked coconut 1 13 1/2 - 14 ounce can unsweetened light coconut milk 1 1/3 cups fat-free milk 1 cup canned pumpkin 4 egg whites 1 tablespoon vanilla 1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute* equivalent to 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute* equivalent to 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons flaked coconut, toasted 1 1/2 teaspoons butter Flaked coconut, toasted (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly coat a 2-quart square or rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a large bowl toss bread cubes with the 1/2 cup coconut. Spread mixture in a single layer in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until bread cubes are dry and lightly toasted, stirring once. Remove from oven; set aside. Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees F. 3. In a very large bowl whisk together 1 cup of the coconut milk, 1 cup of the fat-free milk, the pumpkin, egg whites, and vanilla. Whisk in the 1/2 cup sugar, the pumpkin pie spice, and 1/8 teaspoon of the kosher salt. Stir in toasted bread cube-coconut mixture.

4. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

5. For the sauce, in a medium saucepan stir together the 2 tablespoons sugar (if using), the cornstarch, and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk in the remaining coconut milk and the remaining 1/3 cup fat-free milk. Cook and stir over medium heat just until boiling. Gradually stir half of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks. Add egg yolk mixture to coconut milk mixture in saucepan; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Add the sugar substitute equivalent to 2 tablespoons sugar (if using), the 2 tablespoons coconut, and the butter, stirring until butter is melted. Serve warm over bread pudding. If desired, garnish with additional toasted coconut. *Sugar Substitutes: Choose from Splenda Granular, Truvia Spoonable or packets, or Sweet 'N Low bulk or packets. Follow package directions to use product amounts equivalent to 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons sugar. www.diabeticlivingonline.com 28

In This New Year, Stop taking Responsibility for Things You Cannot Control

by Debbie Luxton A new year is here. To start the New Year off right, it makes sense to set goals that are based on learning from what we could/should have done differently in the past year.

The area that I challenge you to consider is your tendency to accept and let go of things over which you have no control.

Women are very prone to take responsibility for everyone and everything around them. While God created women with great multi-tasking capabilities, He does not intend that you carry the weight of the world upon your shoulders.

Do you find yourself taking responsibility for things like * the performance of an employee who is also a good friend, * the behavior of a teen/adult child, * the acceptance of your apology by a friend, * or other situations that involve someone else’s choices?

Most of us can relate to a situation, at some point in time, where we crossed the line of allowing others to own their choices and behaviors. If this is an area of difficulty for you, I challenge you to pray diligently about this.

Ask God to keep your awareness high and your vision clear that you would not step into the space where only He can discipline and lead.

Follow these steps to assess yourself in this area: 1. Set aside quiet time - minimally begin with 30 minutes.

1. Make sure you phone is off.

2. Have your journal, pen, tissues and something to drink.

3. Begin with prayer - asking God to keep your mind clear of distractions and that He would guide your thoughts.

4. Record situations where you have crossed the boundary of taking responsibility for things you cannot control.

Initially, as you go through this process, simply journal what the Lord brings to you. At this sitting, or another planned quiet time, go back through your journaling and make a bulleted list using the following format in columns across the page: Who - whose choices / behaviors were you trying to own?

What - what were the situation(s) involved?

Their Part - what choices / behaviors belong to the other person?

Your Part - what emotions are going on inside of you?

Results - what results are you trying to keep from happening?

As you go through the above process you must be completely honest with yourself. Once you have completed the process give thanks to God and credit to yourself.

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Now you have specifics to work with for prayer and personal goal setting. You can now put together goals and action steps that set boundaries for you to adhere to.

For the first 90 days of your goals, do your best to review them daily and record your progress. Pray and seek an accountability partner - someone who will be completely honest with you.

Be sure to thank God each and every time you take a step forward towards achieving your goals. This is a victory for you and for those around you. Do not beat yourself up if you take a step to the side.

Record your side-step and continue forward.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Debbie Luxton is a Christian Life & Leadership Coach, Author, Teacher, Speaker, Retreat and Workshop Leader for Executive and Professional Woman.

Debbie helps her clients challenge their leader within to: ~ stop the cycle of "having it all together on the outside, while falling a part on the inside" and ~ live to their authentic priorities while deepening relationships with those they love most.

Debbie has years of experience in helping women expose the junk that binds their hearts; causing them to put on the mask(s) of “having it all together�. She offers individual life coaching programs, individual and group leadership programs and two annual women's retreats.

Pick up your FREE "Stress to Serenity" Breakthrough Kit at http://debbieluxton.com/welcome Debbie is a founding partner and certified coach with The John Maxwell Team, small business owner, Celebrate Recovery Ministry leader, serves on the Missouri Recovery Network Board of Directors and is retired from a 30 year corporate career. Debbie is also an independent consultant with Blessings Unlimited offering inspirational decor and gifts.

Connect with Debbie: Facebook - http://facebook.com/truthforlifesjourney Twitter - http://twitter.com/CoachDebLuxton LinkedIN - http://linkedIN.com/CoachDebLuxton Debbie Luxton Coaching ~ 314.578.3003 ~ http://debbieluxton.com ~ deblux@me.com http://about.me/debbieluxton http://myblessingsunlimited.net/debbieluxton 30

Burr, It’s Cold Outside!

by Dorothy Kurchak I went out for a short walk this morning, but it’s really too cold to walk. I like to trot a short distance until my legs get tired then I walk, but today it’s a short one. The two cats followed me, as usual. It’s interesting that they aren’t affected as much by the cold as I am. God’s secret creation recipe I guess.

I’ve kept myself busy with sewing. I have two quilt tops done which I’ll have machine quilted and a couple table runners that I hand quilted.

My step son wanted a red quilt for his big truck so I made this one.

I would like to find a place like a shelter or foster care home where they would like the quilts. I have bushels of material a friend gave me from a relative who died who was a quilter. Lots of nice fabrics, but some are too small to use in a quilt which requires a certain amount of fabric to make a pattern. I may end up giving much of the smaller scraps away.

Anyway, I ate the last Christmas candy from my niece so now I’ll have to condition myself to get off the sweets and eat apples instead. I like them both, fortunately. One thing I find fun to do is make containers out of cement. This web site offers kits for making troughs and other garden decorations and I’m thinking of giving it a try. I have made a couple troughs which turned out pretty good.

The kits look like they will be better looking than mine. The site is FarmbrookDesigns.com. I encourage you to check it out. I’ll make mine in the basement as it’s warm down there. I wouldn’t recommend you make them outside or anywhere else where they would freeze.

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As I was driving by the neighbor’s home the other day I noted her flowering kale was looking pretty good even with the hard freezes. I’ve often thought of growing some but never have. They keep some color in the garden for most of the winter.

She keeps her garden, about 100 feet long in front of a white picket fence, looking perfect year round. She does have a husband though who I’m sure, is a great help to her. He’s an electrician and has helped me with checking my generator to make sure it’s connected to the house correctly. It is and that was very reassuring. I worry about losing power in the winter as it’s usually at night so I have to go out in the dark.

I know how to start the generator and have a lantern and flashlight, but I dread it anyway. When he was here we tried to start the generator and when we did corn flew out of the opening of the air cleaner! The mice had filled the air cleaner of the generator with corn which they got from under the bird feeder. I had to cover the opening of the air cleaner with wire screen to keep them out. Those little rascals get into everything!

I forgot to put the lid on the metal can where I put the sunflower seeds the other day and there were two of them in the can so I tipped the can enough so they could jump out. I’m sure they had a story to tell their friends that day.

I have to get outside every day. Sitting at the sewing machine or playing in the cement is fun but I need the exercise. The allergy season is finally over so that doesn’t bother me anymore. It was a terrible year for allergies. As I get older the allergies bother me more and more.

As long as there isn’t ice on the road I can do my trot and walk and it does make me feel better. Also the study of the Word takes priority morning and evening. The Lord has helped me so much to recover from the death of my son. I know I’ll see him again and I look forward to “That Day.”

In Christ, Aunt Dots

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Just for fun pages!

Word Logic Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker

Answer Key on page 62.

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Frosty Coloring Page!

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Top 3 Things to Make Your New Year Resolutions Come True...

Goal Setting

by Shannon Panzo submitted by Lisa Simpkins You have heard it all before: this year I am going to: Eat less Stop smoking Exercise more Be nice to people …and so on.

STOP already! It is the same thing each year. You make a bunch of promises that you will never keep or see through for a week, let alone seeing them through till next year.

Have you ever heard, “The path to failure is paved with good intentions?” You are not doing yourself any favors when you approach your goals halfhearted. While you were busy setting yourself up to fail, you were better off not doing anything at all. Too many people achieve failure by not knowing a few basic steps to goal setting.

I have found that these 3 principles, when followed, assure that you give yourself the fighting chance to succeed. When painting that path for the New Year, you want to start out on the right foot – to achieve success.

Here are 3 basic principles with successful “goalsetting” that are seldom followed. (These are also the tips and tricks that make your journey easier.

What truly makes you happy?

Happiness is not found on the TV, in magazines, or other media. You may think otherwise. But here is one way to recognize something that actually makes you happy.

It is relatively easy to achieve, and it is sustainable, without continually feeding it. These are things we tend to take for granted.

Be happy. Your happiness will not be achieved by doing what other people want you to do. Your happiness will only be achievable when it comes from within you.

What is your passion that drives you?

For you to be successful with goal setting, you must have a reason that drives you for those many days, weeks, months, even years it takes to reach your goals. Your endurance rides on the back of your passion. But first you must recognize what your passion is, so you can assign it to the task. If your passion does not align with your goals, then your goal is flawed – don’t bother. Find your goals that go hand in hand with your passion. Just look.

They will be there.

Set achievable goals What good does it do if you set your goals too high? Usually you will wear yourself out before ever reaching your first benchmark. Set smaller goals.

When you set huge goals, you are setting yourself up to fail. By paving your road with success, it will lighten your burden along the path to your ultimate goal.

Here is an example of a driving commitment to achieve a goal using these 3 principles: If you are overweight and out of shape, and you are scheduled to go on a vacation in 8 or 9 months, what kind of experience do you think you will have?

As you are considering this, you realize you are not going to have the fun times you should be having if you are out of shape.

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Even though others have been pointing this out to you, it really makes no difference. It only matters when you point it out to yourself, and that you can make the change.

Except, you will feel much better about your struggle if you have those little benchmarks along the way. This gives you confidence you are heading in the best direction.

So now you see the first two points come together; your target and your driving force to reach that target.

I hope these few tips will help you in the New Year

When you approach setting your goals, you will have the ultimate goal in mind. Break it down into “bite-size” chunks. Set benchmarks for yourself that are easily achievable.

Will you get a Medal for Bravery at the end if you do it in one big hit? Of course not!

It is still the same long range goal. Nothing has changed.

Content provided by: Mind To Mind – The Brain Accelerator Mind Power Think Tank – Brain Exercise, Mental Development, Innovation, and Discovery Content provided by: http://www.mindtomind.com/top-3-things-makeyour-new-year-resolutions-come-true/ | January 6, 2013 For Free Einstein Concentration Training, visit www.mindtomind.com http://www.mindtomind.com/top-3-things-makeyour-new-year-resolutions-come-true/

Lisa Simpkins, Social Media Administrator at Ruby for Women I have been working online for 15 years now. I have gained enough knowledge over the years to work in many different fields in online business. A few of my special areas of expertise include social networking and administration: content provider, database, public relations, reputation management, member recruitment, marketing manager, link marketing, blog creation & branding / rank and community management.

In addition, my work includes blogging, advertising, business branding / personal branding, mentoring, training one-on-one, SEO, product creation, RSS and web site creation.

www.katherinescorner.com 36

The Snowman Walked Away

by Gloria Doty “Come on, Emily. The snow is just right for building a snowman.

If you want me to help you, it’s now or never,” Joey yelled at his 4-year-old sister.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” said Emily as she struggled into her snow pants.

I watched my two sweet children through the window and thought about the huge differences between the two. Joey was eleven, a very mature young man for that age, who understood many of life’s deeper things. He had accepted the move to a smaller house and different neighborhood with stoic indifference.

I had read that most children deal with bad circumstances by escaping into a fantasy world, but Emily seemed to go the other way. She had given up on all things that were not black and white reality; no more believing in whimsical things.

As we watched Frosty the Snowman last night, I heard her mutter, “Snowmen can’t sing or walk.”

That broke my heart. She was only 4 years old and should enjoy pretending and make-believe a little longer. I prayed about it every day. I asked God to show me a way to restore a little magic into both of their lives.

“Mo-o-o-m.” Emily yelled at the front door. “Can we use the pair of old shoes you put in the garbage can for the snowman’s feet?”

“Of course.” I answered. “I didn’t know snowmen had feet.”

“Well, ours is going to.”

An idea began to form in my mind, but I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off.

When they were done, they came in for lunch and we talked about the feet on the snowman.

“Well,” Emily giggled, “since winter is almost over, if it gets warm, he can just walk away to a colder place instead of melting.”

“Right.” Joey said as he rolled his eyes. “Besides, you said you didn’t believe in magical snowmen, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” Emily said as her smile disappeared.

At bedtime, Emily checked the snowman from the front window.

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“He’s still there,” she laughed.

I awoke to squeals of delight and the sound of Emily jumping up and down. “Mommy, mommy, he’s gone. He walked away!”

She tugged me out of bed and to the front window.

“Look. He’s gone.”

She was right. He truly was gone.

Joey said, “Maybe somebody stole him.”

“No one can steal a snowman,” Emily answered.

“He just walked away.”

“I’m going out there.” Joey stated, tucking his pajama legs into his boots.

We all trudged out to the spot where the snowman had been. “See?” Emily almost screamed. “Look, there are even footprints where he walked away.”

“I guess they were magic shoes instead of a magic hat, huh Mommy?”

It was so good to look at her rosy cheeks and bright eyes. The light seemed to have returned to them.

Joey was busy inspecting the tracks in the snow and the brush marks next to the path the snowman seemed to have taken. He looked at me questioningly. I hoped my return look said, “Not a word, young man.”

Before she went to bed that night, Emily asked God to take care of her snowman wherever he was and make him come back next winter when it was cold again.

I smiled and made a mental note to keep the old pair of shoes hidden in the very back of my closet until next winter.

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.” 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.

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“I’m Just a Child!”

by Amanda Stephan We were in the middle of our Algebra lesson. Yes, Algebra. Not Pre-Algebra, but Algebra and things weren't working out very well for us.

My son and I were having a . . . muddy day.

There are certain days that we can surf right through our Algebra lesson without a hitch. He learns it, I'm refreshed, we get along, and all goes well.

This is *not* always the case. There are some days when our lesson seems to be as clear as the proverbial mud, or, as clear as the blackest of black coffees.

This was one of those days.

It wasn't going well. My daughter had just hit the halfway mark of her entire seatwork, and my son and I hadn't even finished the lesson part. Sheesh! Could it get any worse?!

My son has attention problems. I'm not saying he's A.D.D. because we haven't had him tested, but I am saying...ooh look! A red headed woodpecker just landed in the tree! Is that sirens I hear? I think I left the dog out. Do you hear that backhoe that's a mile down the road? They're working on the ditch again... all within the space of five minutes. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure of some things, and I've considered calling the Government and requesting a no-fly zone be declared over our house.

Things would just be better that way.

Anyway, I digress. We were having a muddy day, and it seems that those muddy days are some of the funniest and most endearing days. Oxymoron-ic sounding, right?

Well, I was about to bash my head against the white-board before going over the problem set for the sixth time, when he looked up at me, his big, adorable brown eyes wide, and he says...(With all the seriousness of a preacher at a funeral).

"Mom. I'm just a child in these things. A child."

I had to laugh. Because, the Bible says "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" and I take that seriously. (Praise God for HuMoR) But while I giggled like a hyena and we did finally get the point of the lesson (I take back all those times I said I was never going to use this...) he did bring me to another thought.

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How we should be like children in certain areas.

Like anger. And malice.

You remember the days when you and your best friend were on the outs and you swore you were never going to speak to her again? Then, after only ten minutes, you couldn't stand it anymore and you were the best of friends again? That's what I'm talking about.

Quick to forgive.

Quick to make up and get over it.

Quick to bury the hatchet and knock the chip off your shoulder because life is just better with your friend.

"Suffer the little children to come unto me." See, there's something special about a child. They believe.

They forgive. They love.

Isn't it time we were a bit more childish about some of the important things? Like forgiveness and malice?

Yep. That's going to be my New Year's Resolution. But I'm not going to wait to begin.

I'm starting right now. How about you?

Amanda Stephan is a multi-published Christian romance author who loves sharing God’s love with others. A homeschooling mother and stay at 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 http://www.BooksByAmanda.com Her collaborative blog - http://www.thepriceoftrust.com Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan and Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma

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Thinking Ahead to Valentine’s Day . . . .

Here’s a sweet little craft project by Stephanie Lynn, found on her blog, Under the Table and Dreaming. You can follow her tutorial and make these adorable rolled paper flowers and use them for gift toppers, or make the beautiful wreath that you can see on her blog, as well. Thank you to Stephanie Lynn for sharing this craft tutorial with us! Please visit her blog for more inspiring and creative craft tutorials at www.bystephanielynn.com I know a lot of crafters have extra book pages from all the fabulous paper projects floating around. Here is a way to use some of those scraps so that nothing goes to waste! You can also make these with scrapbook paper, cardstock, fabric and of course felt as shown above.

You want to start with a square shape. I used three sheets together to add a little volume. None of this has to be perfect...I promise...they will have character and charm even if you eyeball it!

Using a pencil or a light colored pen or crayon, you want to draw a spiral circle onto the square. I used a black marker just so that it would show up in the picture.

Next you want to cut out all the lines that you have drawn continuing until you come to the center of the spiral leaving a small circle at the end.

You'll be left with a long paper snake!

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Starting with the outside of the spiral, roll the paper inward in somewhat of a cone shape. You want to start off rolling tightly (which will become the center of your flower) then loosely once to get to the edges.

Keep rolling until you get to the end. You will want to put a dab of hot glue on the back to hold the shape. The circle that you left when cutting the spiral will finish the back. I cut it off on this paper flower to show you the roll; however you can see the circle intact below with the felt.

I gently rubbed some Tim Holtz Distressed Ink (Antique Linen) on the edges of each flower for a worn look.

I simply attached them to the packages with a dab of hot glue and added some ribbon and hand cut felt leaves. For the tag I cut out an initial from a scrap page.

I followed the same process for the felt. It just happens to photograph better so here are some more pics!

Here is the end with the circle I was talking about. I filled the inner part of the flower with hot glue and folded over the circle for a finished look. This also helps to hold the flower together.

I love using scraps to decorate my packages. It is always a challenge to see what you can come up with! Happy wrapping!

Enjoy!

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Footprints in the Mud

by Beth Brubaker

Mom Aerobics It's January - a time to look at our reflection and find out where all those goodies we ate ended up.

A time to renew our goals to lose weight. But you can't afford the time or the money to go to the gym.

What's a busy mom to do?

Having been through this myself, I came up with the best calorie burning plan ever. Mom Aerobics.

No gym and no fancy equipment - all you need are messy, energetic kids and common household items. Shall we begin?

After Breakfast Box Stretch. Take those boxes of their favorite cereal and find the highest shelf you can reach. Slowly lift two boxes at a time, extending your shoulders as far as they will go, then rise on tip-toe until the boxes are secured onto the shelf. Do not drop your arms or they will fall off!

Slowly lower arms and repeat, until everything is supposedly safe from children's snack raids.

Calories burned - 500 per four boxes Toy Bend and Stretch. Start with hands and arms fully extended, then bend to the floor, picking up a toy in each hand. Straighten your body, tossing toys over your head and into the toy box. Repeat until floor is clear or you're exhausted.

Advanced Toy Bend and Stretch. As you bend, cross arms in a sweeping motion, your waist remaining bent as you toss items behind you, keeping knees and back straight.

Calories Burned (according to age of children) 0-2 – 250 3-5 – 8,000 5-9 – 500 9+ - 0 (let them pick up their own toys!)

(Double for advanced version)

Lego Leg Lifts. Put on some music with a beat and run about your Lego-covered floor barefoot, trying to avoid the pain-inducing bricks. When you step on one (and you know you will eventually) lift knee higher than your nose while strengthening core muscles by bellowing at the top of your lungs.

Repeat with the opposite leg.

Calories Burned - 1,367 Where Are You? Weight Lifts. Tell your child(ren) it's time for a nap. Then spend the day looking for them by lifting every piece of furniture in the house five times or until your husband gets home and bribes them out with money.

Calories Burned - 3,500 Three-Thousand Yard Dash. Place your child(ren) in the front doorway. Ask your child(ren) what they fed the dog to make him make that mess all over the living room rug. When the child(ren) runs for it, chase them at top speed.

Calories Burned - 2,200 Fresh Shower Dress. Get a shower and towel off lightly. Try to put on thin cotton pajamas with as much wriggling as possible, without strangling yourself.

Calories Burned - 1,000 Upstairs Bed Crawl. When the day is done and your body no longer wishes to function, crawl slowly up the stairs to bed while avoiding people who will trip over you.

Calories Burned (if you cleared the bed of laundry, kids, pets and have clean sheets) - 4,589 Calories Burned (if you just flopped on top) - 6 Follow these helpful and handy tips, and you too can look like me! (of course you might not want a body like mine, but that's beside the point!)

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And God Sent the Dragonflies

by Elsie (Mimi) Spurlock, Bruce Hinton & Mary Hinton “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD” Isaiah 55:8 In the cold, sterile room at the hospital, where we were quickly ushered the night of July 11, 2008, the piercing words of the Physician’s Assistant sliced through the very core of my being: “We did everything we could…so very sorry….take you in to see him…toxicology report…was drinking…traveling at high rate of speed on the motorcycle…lost control.”

Oh, Father God, please let this be a dream. Please wake me up so I can walk down the hall, into Dane’s room, and find him sleeping peacefully. I don’t like this dream, Lord.

I wasn’t dreaming. My first-born grandson was lying on a bed in that hospital. No doctor would be able to bring him back to us.

In the days and months following Dane’s death, I would come to realize the generosity of a God who sends comfort to one of His hurting children. I would learn He had hand-picked a man and his wife to be by Dane’s side as he lay wounded and dying. I would marvel as He sent dragonflies as a sign that Dane was with Him and all was well.

Bruce and Mary, co-authors of this book, were the strangers who stopped and knelt at Dane’s side.

Each has heart-wrenching and heart-warming stories as to what God has done in their lives, before and after July 11, 2008.

More than anything, this book is about a loving God who asks us to believe Him when He whispers to us that all is well when our grieving heart belies that truth.

For more information about And God Sent the Dragonflies, or to order your copy, please visit the following websites: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/and-god-sent-thedragonflies?keyword=and+god+sent+the+dragonflies&store=allproducts&iehack=%E2%98%A0 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&fieldkeywords=And+God+Sent+the+Dragonflies http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781622308217

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True Lover’s Knot Block #16 for the Bible Block Wedding Sampler Sew-Along

by Laura Brandt Wentworth County Quiltworks The True Lover’s Knot block is relatively easy and another good beginner’s block. It’s made up of four 6.5” Bowtie blocks which will go together quickly if you chain-piece the squares. And since I’ve constructed it only from squares, there’s no need for templates or elaborate rotary cutting instructions!

My Fabric A is white, Fabric B is brown and Fabric C is yellow.

Please note: all seams are ¼”; final block is 12.5” unfinished.

Step 1 – cut your fabric. From Fabric A, you’ll need eight 3.5” squares; from Fabric B, eight 3.5” squares and from Fabric C, cut sixteen 2” squares.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of your sixteen 2” Fabric C squares.

Step 2 – begin your first Bowtie block by adding a single Fabric C corner (yellow) to a Fabric A (white) square as shown, with right sides together.

Sew on the drawn line, press up and trim away the excess fabric from the back.

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Step 3 – repeat Step 2 with Fabric C (yellow) and another Fabric A (white) square. Then add Fabric C (yellow) corners to two of your Fabric B (brown) squares in the same manner. You should now have four bicolor squares.

Step 4 – position your Fabric A squares opposite your Fabric B squares as shown, with the four Fabric C corners pointing inward.

Step 5 – sew the two top squares together and sew the two bottom squares together.

Step 6 – being careful with your alignment, sew your top and bottom rows together to finish your square.

Step 7 – repeat steps 2 through 6 with your remaining Fabric A, B and C squares to make three more unfinished 6.5” Bowtie blocks, for a total of four.

Step 8 – position your four Bowtie blocks as shown and sew them together into an unfinished 12.5” square.

You are done!

www.wentworthcountyquiltworks.com 46

The Cat that Wouldn’t Play

by Mimi Spurlock The small streak of yellow fur bounded for the opened gate. He apparently had been hiding beneath one of the large bushes in my back yard. He ran away so quickly that I didn't even get a good look at the little fellow. It would be a few weeks before I saw him again.

On one side, I had really been considering getting a kitten. On the other side, my first concern was whether that cat would lie in ambush to catch a bird. I have a few Eastern Bluebirds that have made my back yard their home for several years. I certainly didn't want one of them to be a cat's entree!

Time went by and I didn't see the kitten, so I just assumed it had only visited my yard and had gone home. However, one day as I went out the back door, I saw him again. I was shocked at how skinny the little fellow was. I went back inside, tore a slice of lunchmeat into small pieces and returned to the back yard. The cat was gone. I called and called but to no avail. I left the meat outside. The next day it was gone. I wondered if the kitten had found it.

Crazy cat, I thought. "Don't you know I want to be your friend?" I asked the absent cat. "I can make life a lot better for you. But how can I do that if you run away?"

Suddenly I thought of how the Lord wants to be a friend to us.

He seeks us out, but sometimes we run away, just like that little, scared kitten. Why do we do that? We're scared, too, sometimes. Maybe the people in our past haven't been very dependable. Maybe they've hurt us. Maybe we have learned not to trust, just like the little yellow kitten.

I bought cat food. Well, if he was eating the food, at least he wasn't going hungry any more. Twice a day I put out the food and waited, always disappointed that the kitten didn't show up to eat. Then one day after putting out the food I stood inside my sunroom and waited. This time I saw him walk over to the food and begin to eat. He was gulping it down. He's still so skinny, I thought.

Okay, little buddy, it's about time you showed up! I eased open the sunroom door. He was gone in a flash. Boy, you just aren't getting it, are you? I silently scolded the cat. You come and eat the food I put out for you, but you won't let me get close to you.

It seemed I heard Jesus speak to my spirit, "My children do that, too." What did He mean? Was He saying His children gladly took for granted all the blessings He bestows on them, but they don't take the time to be close to Him? I thought of James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

How very sad. How unfortunate for us that we miss intimate fellowship with our Lord because we don't slow down long enough to sense His nearness.

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As the days passed, the kitten still ran off when I took out the food. However, he would go to the food once I stepped away from it. If I moved toward him, off he ran. You are one slow learner, little cat! I thought.

Us, too, I said to myself. That's right. We sometimes are slow learners as the Lord lovingly urges us to bring our burdens to Him. His Word tells us He will perfect that which concerns us. (Psalm 138:8 KJV) It all comes down to a matter of trust. Faith says, "I believe God can do it." Trust says, "I know God will do it." Oh, Father, help us learn to trust You with all our heart.

It occurred to me that I should get the little kitten a toy. All cats loved to play, right? So, a quick trip to the store and back found me outside again, trying to find the kitten. This time he was within sight but he didn't have any intention of coming to me. I started talking to him and heard a few soft meows, but he didn't show any interest in that toy. What could have happened to this little cat that crushed his spirit to the point that he wouldn't even play?

Okay, I thought, he has some serious trust issues. I'm not giving up on you, little fellow. I'm going to prove to you that you can trust me!

Isn't that the way our Heavenly Father is? Hasn't He given us His Word that tells us He will never leave us, never forsake us? (Hebrews 13:5) Maybe I was learning a valuable lesson too, that we don't give up just because our efforts seem to be yielding no fruit. We keep on persevering, striving toward our goal, until that goal is realized.

The toy mouse lay in plain sight day after day. The young cat still showed no interest in it. You need some joy, little fellow, I thought. You'll see that I'm not going to hurt you; that I don't want you to stay outside when it's cold or rainy or windy or too hot! I want to give you a better life! I'll be here for you.

One day I took out left-over meat. I sat down on a step and waited, throwing small pieces of meat ahead of me. The cat moved to each piece of meat, all the time inching closer to me. Finally, he stood at my outstretched hand and quickly snatched the piece of meat from it. Way to go, little guy! That was a major milestone. Several times he accepted the meat but as soon as the meat was gone, he was, too!

It has now been a couple of months since Zipper (the name I've given him because he zips over to get food and zips away from me when I try to pet him) started eating from my hand. I've offered him catnip, I've tried to entice him with toys and strings and various things, but Zipper still runs away from me.

Lately I have noticed he will walk toward me when he sees me coming outside. If I have food, he will start meowing loudly when he sees me. If I'm just going outside to sit for a while, he will come and lie down a few feet away from me. At times he will even gaze at me. That is the extent of his willingness to share his life with me--so far.

I see some parallels here, my friend. How many times do we zip in and out of God's presence, eagerly taking what His hand offers, then backing away until another crisis moment finds us, once again, seeking His hand? Remember, He is worthy of our praise, our adoration and our worship. The Babe in the Manger is now King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Seek His heart and linger in His presence. He has the only right answer for your life.

Who knows, maybe Zipper will decide to play someday. Now, wouldn't that be a wonderful Christmas gift?

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On Temporary Loan

by Sharon L. Patterson “Help me remember, Lord, that I’m here on temporary loan; that the earth and everything in it is merely a stepping stone.

And while I am here, please let me run by faith through your grace to get things done.

And since my assignment here is brief, may your love ever change my selfish heart so I ‘ll be ready when it’s time to leave.”

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Within My Grasp

by Keith Wallis Within my grasp yet flowing through my hand life’s elusive mysteries ripple out of reach.

The face that watches me shivers and shines and maybe isn’t mine its distorted amazement seems shocked at seeing me.

I cannot hold you but I deform you with my touch and the leprous mirror lies for a while.

Undisturbed, you tempt with gloss and shimmer but I cannot freeze frame you as you slipper between moments a silent screen curious, alluring, luring curiosity.

You drip from my fingertips.

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Cheddar Broccoli Soup What you need: 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 3 cups broccoli florets 1 1/2 cups cold milk 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese 4 ounces American cheese, cut into cubes (about 1 cup) Club crackers Let’s make it: In large saucepan cook onion in butter until tender. Stir in mustard, salt, pepper, ground red pepper and nutmeg. Add broth and broccoli. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Whisk together milk and flour. Stir into broccoli mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat until boiling and slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar cheese and American cheese, a little at a time, until melted. Serve with club crackers.

Savory Winter Meat Loaf What you need: 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1/2 cup ketchup, divided 1/4 cup milk 1 1/2 cups club crackers (finely crushed) 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage Let’s make it!

1. In medium bowl combine eggs, 1/4 cup of ketchup and milk. Stir in cracker crumbs, onion, pepper, horseradish, salt and mustard. Add ground beef and sausage. Mix well.

2. Lightly pat mixture into 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Spread remaining ketchup over top. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes more.

Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. www.snackpicks.com

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CHICKEN A LA KING and POPOVERS

by Donna Godfrey What you need: 1/4 cup margarine or butter 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp chicken flavored instant bouillon 1/8 tsp pepper Dash thyme leaves 2 cups milk 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken or turkey 9 oz pkg frozen peas, thawed, drained 2 oz jar sliced pimiento, drained 6 Popovers (recipe follows) Let’s make it! In medium saucepan, melt margarine. Stir in flour, bouillon, pepper and thyme.

Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Cook over medium high heat until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Stir in chicken, peas and pimiento. Simmer 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

To serve, spoon chicken mixture into hot, split popovers.

Popovers What you need: 3 eggs, room temperature 1 1/4 cups milk, room temperature 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1/4 tsp salt Let’s make it: Heat oven to 450. Generously grease 10 popover pans or ten (6 oz) custard cups.

Be sure eggs and milk are at room temperature. In small bowl, beat eggs with rotary beater until lemon colored and foamy. Add milk, blend well. Add flour and salt; beat with rotary beater just until batter s smooth and foamy on top. Pour batter into prepared cups, about 2/3 full.

Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. DO NOT OPEN OVEN. Reduce heat to 350; bake 25 to 35 minutes or until high, hollow and deep golden brown. Remove from oven; insert sharp knife into each popover to allow steam to escape. Remove from pan. 10 popovers.

TIP: Standard muffin pans can be used. Fill alternating greased cups with batter to prevent sides of popovers from touching.

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You Can Tell You’re Having a Bad Day When . . .

by Amanda Stephan You can tell you’re having a bad day when… ...your children are getting along and you hear one whisper to the other...

"Can't you tell she's having a bad day? Just look at her hair!"

I'm not sure, but I think stress is a problem that everyone has to deal with at some point in their lives.

Some of us seem to have to deal with it more than others. Why, I don't know. Perhaps you can't say no to people. Or maybe, you're always looking to make others happy.

While putting others first is a great thing, in fact, we're supposed to do that, that doesn't mean there aren't those that abuse that particular character trait and use it for their own nefarious purposes.

There have been times in my life I was sure that I was headed to either an early grave or a complete breakdown. I'm really not old enough to be this way, but it's me. It's not right to worry, yet I do.

This week has been A WEEK. *insert rolling of eyes and rubbing of temples here*. I've just inherited a large project that must be done in, oh, three days. Humanly speaking, this project is impossible. There is no way this is going to get done. There is no way embarrassment won't mark me for at least a month after the due date. Plus, I believe I will go down in history after this particular project is finished.

Yep. You called it. I'm stressed.

But I'm working through it. When I get stressed, depressed, or overwhelmed, I tend to find something for my hands to get busy with. I work the frustration out. I keep busy until I can be calm and look at things a little differently than before. Being a stay at home, homeschooling mom, this means several things. * Our house gets cleaned very, very well. And our children learn all those wonderful details of how to scrub the floors, fold the towels, straighten their drawers, keep their school desks shipshape, and the list goes on. (Don't worry. During these moments, I too am very busy. Right now, I'm pretty sure our oven would rival any brand new one for cleanliness - inside and out. I didn't know it could sparkle so much after 17 years of heavy use.) * Amazingly, our children don't bicker or fight while I'm stressed. They can always tell when things just aren't right. Our daughter will always comment, ever so politely, that my hair looks exciting. That's her way of saying, "Uh, mom. Are you doing all right?" * I find something to laugh at. Sometimes, all it takes to relieve the pressure is elbow grease and laughter. But be careful on this step. If you're laughing hysterically while scrubbing your floors, oven, or windows, be prepared to be considered a lunatic. Don't ask me how I know.

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* This is the most important step. I pray more. The Bible says we should pray without ceasing, but I venture to say that everyone falls off the bandwagon on this point. Sometimes, when God's trying to get our attention, He uses difficult, uncomfortable things to do it with. Our prayers are precious to Him. They're a sweet savor (smell). Like the honeysuckle on our vine in the front yard, He loves it when we pray and tell Him our needs.

So what about you? What do you do to get past your stressful situations?

Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons What you need: • • • • • •

6 cups (3 pints) cherry tomatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, minced

• • • • •

1 cup chopped onion 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes 4 cups chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1 cup whipping cream

Let’s make it!

Heat the oven to 400°. On a baking sheet, combine the cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and the salt and pepper. Toss the ingredients to coat evenly and spread them in a single layer. Roast the tomatoes until they are shriveled with brown spots, about 35 to 45 minutes.

In a large pot, heat the butter and the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes with their juice, the broth, the thyme, and the roasted tomatoes, including any liquid on the baking sheet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 40 minutes.

Using a food processor or blender, puree the soup until it's smooth. Return it to the pot and stir in the cream. Without letting the soup boil, warm it over medium heat, stirring often, until steaming. Add salt and pepper, if necessary.

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with Grilled-Cheese Croutons. Makes about 10 cups.

Grilled Cheese Croutons • • • •

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/4 teaspoon thyme 6 thin slices of bread 3 ounces Cheddar, thinly sliced

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. In a small bowl, combine the butter and thyme. Spread one side of each bread slice with the butter mixture. Place 3 slices in the pan, buttered side down. Top with the cheese, then with the remaining 3 bread slices, buttered side up. Cook, turning once, until toasted on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Remove the sandwiches from the pan. Let them cool slightly, then cut them into 1-inch squares. Makes about 60 croutons. www.spoonful.com 54

The National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs was born out of a passion to connect women who are ready to create, collaborate, and contribute to changing the world. We gather people and ideas together through online content, tele-courses, individual/group coaching and retreats. Our desire is to unite under a common goal of helping one another to succeed and thrive in business. We are blessed to share in a common faith in Jesus Christ and yet know that we might each choose to worship in a different way.

The National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) invites you to join our family as a Member!

Join NACWE today!

• • •

Get connected to Christian Women Entrepreneurs throughout the United States and Canada for networking, business building, and prayer support Start creating new ideas, plans, programs and products with valuable monthly training calls and webinars Begin collaborating with women who can walk beside you on the journey with love and not competition PLUS, NOW YOU CAN JOIN US FOR JUST $27 a month!!

NACWE Membership & Benefits Membership is open to women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others who have to desire to launch their entrepreneurial venture. We also serve women business owners who are ready to add new marketing success tools, gain access to other like-minded women through networking, and increase their online presence.

Claim your FREE copy of 10 Marketing Secrets to help you Generate Leads, Increase Revenue, and Build a thriving community! www.nacwe.org 55

Snake by the Numbers Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker

Answer Key on page 62

Be sure to visit Beth at her blog, Footprints in the Mud, for more inspirational and humorous articles www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com 56

Concerning Accountability

by Sharon L. Patterson We all feel . . . we talk most about what we feel the most strongly about.

But who will speak . . . when public platforms call us from our noisy corners of complaint?

Who will then be accountable for what he feels?

57

The Gate

by Sharon L. Patterson I have fought battle after battle to come through life’s dark tunnels into the light.

But all my bone-weary efforts have brought me to a fence of limitation, which I have discovered has had a gate all along.

I was my own fence‌ The Lord was, is, and always will be my gate.

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The Happy Housewife

by Elizabeth Baker Elizabeth's classic best seller from 1979 is brought back to life for a new generation. Humorous, honest, Bible based and compelling, this ageless primer on the joys and traumas of dealing with kids, husbands, and dirty dishes will have you laughing and bring you to tears. Her practical advice provides realistic solutions to problems that never change.

Join her in an exploration that is a fresh and ageless as mother-love. Elizabeth tackles issues that are modern in every respect while her home-spun style makes the readers feel as though they are having coffee with a wise friend.

Visit Tricia on her blog, It’s Real Life, for more information about her books.

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You are invited to join us every week for

Inspire Me Monday at

Create with Joy This is a great opportunity for you to connect with other women who share your passion for creativity and inspiration!

Please join us for Inspire Me Monday 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 (www.mslazurek.wordpress.com ).

Michelle’s book Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved: Discover Your Character In God’s Love Story (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. The book is available on her website www.michellelazurek.com , www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com . You can follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mslazurek or Twitter.

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Ruby Pearls January 21 is National Hugging Day! Bless those around you with a hug today - You never know when somebody needs one!

“Life is like riding a bicycle- you don't fall off until you stop pedaling!” - Claude Pepper

Upfront Thoughts for 2013

by Sharon L. Patterson The world’s view is all about ILLUSION The devil’s temptation is all about DELUSION Jesus’ plan is all about RESOLUTION . . .

His is the only one in which I see SOLUTION

A River of Small Stones

by Keith Wallis

A beautiful and inspirational book of poetry, perfect for gift-giving all year long!

Poems written as “small stones,” polished moments of paying proper attention to life Available at www.ariverofstones.blogspot.com

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Word Logic Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker

Snake by the Numbers Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker

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Be sure to visit

Ruby’s Ruby’s Reading Corner when you are shopping for books!

Every purchase you make from Ruby’s Reading Corner helps support the ongoing ministry here at Ruby for Women. The next time you are planning to purchase a book for yourself, for a friend, or for a family member, please consider shopping at Ruby’s Reading Corner.

www.mamaslittletreasures.com

Tatters to Treasures Where new beauty arises from the ashes of yesterday in reconstruction garments, shoes, and accessories www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com 63

Let Gossamer Wings Publications transform your writing into a beautiful digital document to post on your blog or website!

Are you a writer, poet, author of devotional or inspirational articles, children's author, writer of short stories, or motivational books? We have been creating eBooks and digital publications since 2006, and we are now offering our publishing services to you at Gossamer Wings Publications.

Since 2010, we have published Ruby for Women, a monthly online Christian women's magazine which features family-friendly articles on home making, cooking, arts and crafts, poetry, devotionals, inspirational articles and stories, short stories, quilting tutorials, puzzles, kids' crafts, book reviews, gardening and frugal family living articles.

In addition, Ruby for Women has published ebooks for poets and writers of short stories and devotionals, as well as ebook tutorials and patterns for sewing and crafts for mamas*little*treasures which are currently sold on numerous websites, including You Can Make This at www.youcanmakethis.com Beginning in 2012, all of our publications will be produced, published, and promoted by Gossamer Wings Publications, and we are now offering our publishing services to you. We will publish your writing, poetry, sewing and craft books, devotional and inspirational articles, short stories, and any other family-friendly projects that you've been working on.

You've been waiting for the opportunity to get YOUR ideas out to the world, but you just haven't known where to start!

Now you can have a beautifully formatted eBook created for you at a price you can afford, and we will even help you promote your publication. At Gossamer Wings Publications, we will work with you to design your ebook to reflect your personality and express the words and ideas that God has put in your heart and mind.

Email today for your FREE consultation and to set-up your very first publication with Gossamer Wings Publications! gossamerwingspublishing@hotmail.com 64

Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision

by Glenda Staten Glenda Staten is the owner of Positivity 4 Ever. Positivity 4 Ever promotes positivity by providing helpful resources to enrich everyone's life. She created "Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision", a basic guide used to help young adults make positive decisions and live a responsible life while accomplishing their goals. High school students, college students, young adults, parents, and numerous organizations will benefit from the helpful information in the guide.

The guide focuses on "knowing yourself", "being open to change", "setting goals", friendship and bullying. Preview the guide at avoidacollision.com. Glenda also created the Positivity 4 Ever mini magazine to promote positivity, and to share positive conversations from entertainers, authors, and entrepreneurs. The magazines are available at shop.positivity4ever.com.

Glenda joined the military after graduating from Albany Junior College in Albany Georgia. While in the military, she worked for numerous organizations in the United States and abroad before retiring in 2004.

She worked at The National Defense University in Washington, DC where she performed duties as the senior enlisted leader of the organization.

Glenda worked on the National Defense University's Security Team during a visit from the President of the United States, and she was commended for her service.

Glenda was selected to be the Senior Non-commissioned Officer in Charge for the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army at the Pentagon. She completed her military career while assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Personnel Administration and Services Division.

Glenda received her Master's Degree in Management from City University of Seattle in Bellevue, Washington before she retired.

Glenda's military experience enriched her life, and provided the necessary insight needed to help her focus on positivity.

For more information or to purchase your copy of Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision, please visit her website, Avoid a Collision, at www.avoidacollision.com You can also find Glenda’s magazine, Positivity 4 Ever, at www.shop.positivity4ever.com

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Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

by Michelle Lazurek Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved: Discover Your Character In God’s Love Story (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.

The book is available on her website www.michellelazurek.com, www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The International Christian Mompreneur Network is a community of moms who are passionate about faith, family and business (in that order!). We believe that God calls us to share our gifts and talents and serve others through our businesses. We offer solutions and support to help you build a profitable business with wisdom and grace. If you’re self-employed, starting a business, running a home based business or just thinking about creating a business while raising a family, you’re in the right place! www.theresaceniccola.com

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The Ruby for Women community is a great place to meet new friends, share prayer requests, chat about your favorite books, recipes and crafts!

Are you one of our artsy / crafty members? If you are working on any special artistic or craft project, we would love to have you share them with us! Please stop by the Ruby Craft Projects group in the Ruby for Women community and join the conversation.

Winter the perfect time to discover new ideas for your family celebrations at Pinterest! You can post links to your pins in the Pinterest Rubies group in the Ruby for Women community and discover lots of other great “pins,” too.

Read any good books lately? Think some of them might be a good read for our fellow Ruby for Women members? Come share with us what is on your reading list and tell us about your literary journey. Stop by soon and visit us in Ruby’s Book Club and Reviews group in the Ruby for Women community.

Would you like to be one of the featured members in the Ruby for Women community? It’s easy! All you have to do is post your name and link to your personal page in the Ruby for Women community and you will be one of Our Treasured Rubies! We will be featuring our members here in the community, on the Ruby blog, in the Ruby for Women magazine, on the Ruby Facebook page, and on our Google+ page.

And please be sure to stop by the Ruby for Women blog at www.rubyforwomen.com

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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: “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.” 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. She is a mother of two very active kids whose antics are sprinkled liberally in her columns. She has been married for 13 years to her Knight in Shining Armor, and she is delighted to share with us that they still hold hands in public! Her day job is working as a fabric artist, a homemaker, and a writer.

Beth will be writing humorous articles about life in general, puzzles, and an advice column that is based on readers’ questions, as well as sharing hints and tips for everyday life that she comes across in her travels between her laundry room, living room, and kitchen. Don’t miss Beth’s columns in every issue of Ruby for Women! You can read more of Beth’s posts on her blog, “Footprints in the Mud” at www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com or email her at bethatruby@aol.com

Laura Brandt is the owner of Wentworth County Quiltworks and a child of the King whose one desire is to please the Lord. She quilts and maintains her website and her blog, as well as serving as a Moderator at Authorized Version Bible Believers Fellowship forum. She’s also edited books for up-and-coming Christian authors. Visit Laura at her new quilting website, www.wentworthcountyquiltworks.com, her blog, http://laurasthoughtsonscripture.blogspot.com, or the forum at http://avbbf.com.

I'm Christena Hammes, married to my best-friend. We met at the Outside Inn so God could change us from the Inside Out!! We have two beautiful daughters (Lena and Amanda), two sons-in-law (Cameron and Justin) and one amazing granddaughter (Savannah Jo). I never knew what the Father's love was all about until I had children of my own. They really do hold your heart and forgiveness comes easy. http://www.reverbnation.com/robhammes

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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

Theresa Ceniccola is The Christian Mompreneur, a Mentor to Moms Who are Running a Business that Supports Faith and Family. She empowers entrepreneurial moms to build profitable businesses with wisdom and grace through the Christian Mompreneur Mastermind program and her professional Marketing services, which include copywriting, marketing and strategy consulting and private coaching. www.theresaceniccola.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.

Somewhere in the middle of the noise, mess, and busyness of life, she takes time to meet with God at her kitchen table with a Bible, a journal and a cup of strong hot tea with lots of sugar. You can find her blogging about these times with God at her devotional site: Room To Breathe: http://heathercking.wordpress.com/ 69

Donna McBroom-Theriot, Writer. Book Reviewer. Southern Lady.

My life is like an episode of "I love Lucy!" I'm a writer, book reviewer, and a Southern Lady who loves her Sweet Tea. My blog: My Life. One Story at a Time.

I've been writing since 2009. As luck would have it, the very first short story I wrote was published within months of my writing it. This quote pretty much sums me up: "Deep in my heart, I know there’s no promise I’ll be free from trouble in this life. In fact, I’m usually either getting out of trouble, currently in trouble, or about to meet trouble around the next corner." Well, you know the saying, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" – that’s usually mine! Join me. It's bound to be a bumpy ride!

Kathleen Kohler writes for magazines and anthologies from her real life experiences that offer hope. She and her husband of thirty-four years live in the Pacific Northwest, and have three children and seven grandchildren. Visit www.kathleenkohler.com to read more of her published work.

"He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul" Psalm 62:1-2 (MSG).

Sharmelle “Shar” of Sharmelle’s Graphic Haven, Graphic Design I am passionate about graphic design and photography, and I spend a great deal of time developing my talents. Like many, I had set my career aside for a few years while working on other projects, but I found that I missed working with others and feel that many people need support and encouragement to follow their dreams.

I have recently resumed the art of design and photography, and I have trained myself in the modern tools of today’s visual artists, using the computer. I’m sure that if, when I was a child, I could have had a computer, I might not ever have gone to school at all! You can find my graphic designs for use on blogs and websites in the Ruby for Women community at Sharmelle’s Graphic Haven. http://rubyforwomen.ning.com/group/sharmelle-s-graphic-haven

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 new 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 Full time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Over the years, she has shared her heart with magazines such as the Queensland Baptist, Christian Woman, Footprints, Mum to Mum, Captivated, Being Women, the Online Bible College student magazine, Deeper Devotions Student Ministries, amidst other magazines and ministries. Corallie is 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 with husband David and daughter Esther in Brisbane, Australia.

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Sheila Watson, Guest Writer, DoveQuill Publishers Sheila is the author of several books, including “Nana’s Great BIG Storybook,” and “A Mission for Leedle Burro,” as well as a cookbook filled with her “sassy recipe” articles. Sheila is also the owner of DoveQuill Publishing Company. www.dove-quill-publishing.com

Deborah McCarragher, Devotional Contributor Deborah is the author of a Christian inspirational book for women titled “Mission Possible”. The book addresses living in a spiritually-uneven household. You can visit her website at www.AlabasterBoxPublishing.com for more information about her book. http://www.Twitter.com/unequalmarriage

Ugochi Jolomi is a wife and mother of three, a graduate of banking and finance turned minister of God. She blogs on Teshuva (www.ugochi-jolomi.com ), where she shares on a variety of practical subjects from everyday life, inspiring and encouraging us to live life in the happiness and truth that come from God.

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.

My name is Lisa Simpkins and I have been working online for 15 years now. I have gained enough knowledge over the years to work in many different fields in online business.

My Specialty: Social Networking and Administration: Content provider, database, public relations, reputation management, member recruitment, marketing manager, link marketing, blog creation & branding/rank and community management.

Other areas of interest: Blogging, advertising, business branding/personal branding, mentoring, training one-on-one, SEO, product creation, RSS and web site creation.

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Kristin Bridgman I’ve been married to a very sweet, patient, loving man for 29 years. I’ve been a mom to two sons I love with all my heart for 22 years. I’ve been a born again Christian loving the Lord for 36 years. I home schooled for 14 years. I’m just an ordinary woman who lives for an extraordinary God. http://www.ponderingsbykris.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Baker is an author and retired counselor drawing on thirty-five years of experience helping individuals apply biblical principles to real-life situations. She currently lives in Pittsburg, Texas where she concentrates on her writing. A widow since her mid 30's, Elizabeth has four grown children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grands. You can find Elizabeth’s books at her website at www.elizabethbakerbooks.com

Amanda Stephan is a multi-published Christian romance author who loves sharing God’s love with others. A homeschooling mother and stay at 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 http://www.BooksByAmanda.com Her collaborative blog - http://www.thepriceoftrust.com Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan and Facebook - https://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.

Debra Ann Eliot is a Southern granny who loves to cook. She is the author of several works, including two poetry books. Debra devotes herself to maintaining several blogs, but the one that is most dear to her heart is Granny’s Down Home Southern Cooking. http://www.grannyssoutherncooking.blogspot.com/ Debra Elliott anngrayelliott1960@gmail.com

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Tricia Goyer is an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines including Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family while authoring more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books combined. Among those are 3:16 Teen Edition with Max Lucado and the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Award winners Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. Connect with Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com

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 (www.mslazurek.wordpress.com).

Rosann Cunningham is a Christian Author, wife to the man of her dreams, and stay-at-home mom to two delightful little girls. When she’s not out for a jog or having giggle fests with her daughters, she can be found writing for her blog ChristianSuperMom, and ministering to women whose husbands are in a season of unemployment, at her other website UnEMPLOYED Faith. Her writing inspiration for both projects comes from a strong desire to glorify God while sharing the heart of her journey through a life of faith.

Keith Wallis, Poetry 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://wordsculptureskeith.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.

Angela Blake Morris, Contributing Writer Angela is passionate about faith, family, writing, photography, and blogging. She left a seven year career as an administrative support staffer at a large credit union at God’s urging that it was time. Taking this large leap of faith, she continues to follow the path that God lays out before her.

Part of that journey is sharing her story of caring for her special needs child with the Ruby for Women members at “Butterfly Wings and Prayers” on the Ruby for Women community groups board. Be sure to visit her at her personal blog at www.csahm.webs.com 73

Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Amanda has been writing for Ruby for Women for the past two and a half 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 11 years old and Annie is 9. 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 also work at Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana as the Curriculum Assistant for the Graduate and Professional Programs. 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.

Introducing the Ruby for Women Administrative Team Over the past three years, the ministry of Ruby for Women has grown into a full-time ministry for several women here in the Ruby community. We have been blessed to be able to partner with women from all over the United States in the work of Ruby for Women, and we are currently in the process of adding four new administrators to our team. If you would be interested in joining the Ruby for Women administrative team, please email our assistant editor, Amanda Johnson, at ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Here are the current members of the Ruby for Women Administrative team: Sr. Editor, Nina Newton Assistant Editor, Amanda Johnson Administrative Assistant, Beth Brubaker Website Administrator, Ann Marie Weaver Creative Consultant and Graphic Designer, Katherine Corrigan Publications Assistants: Ugochi Jolomi, Donna McBroom-Theriot, Anne B., Jackie McMullen, Christena Hammes 74

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 at www.rubyforwomen.com/advertise 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 editor@rubyforwomen.com Website Administrator, Ann Marie Weaver Creative Consultant, Katherine Corrigan of Made It For You www.madeitforyou.com Please visit our community website at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com to see how you can help support the ministry of Ruby for Women.

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