Ruby for Women, June, 2012 by RUBY magazine

June, 2012

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

Contents June, 2012 www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

June is such a glorious time of the year! Gardening, swimming, boating, camping, or just taking a walk in a park remind us of God’s gifts all around us. Here at Ruby for Women, we continue to bring you the best in resources for your daily journey through life, and we trust that God is using this ministry to bring blessings into your family. We hope you enjoy this issue of the Ruby for Women magazine. www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

In This Issue . . . Page

Title

School Daze Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

Blinded by Frustration Amanda Johnson

Storing Up Treasures Angela Morris

Sweet Summer Memories: Popsicles! Vintage Mama

Orange Banana Smoothie Pops

MOMumental by Jennifer Grant Book Review by Create with Joy

Our Father Gloria Doty

Easing into the Uncomfortable Shannon Medisky

As in a Dream Keith Wallis

Remain in Me . . . Always Angela Morris

Logic Minesweeper Puzzle Beth Brubaker

Overcoming Stress with the Word Taylor Gilmore

“Remember Me” Tutorial Amy Harper

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Senior Editor Nina Newton Assistant Editor Amanda Johnson Creative Assistant Katherine Corrigan Family Fun Editor Beth Brubaker Gardening Dorothy Homer Devotions Lynn Mosher, Deborah McCarragher Poetry Keith Wallis, Lee E. Shilo Quilting Laura Brandt

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.

Feature Writers Carol Mokry, Connie Arnold, Kristin Bridgman, Amy Lignor, Taylor Gilmore, Scott Henderson, Theresa Ceniccola, Shannon Medisky, Charlotte Siems, Yvonne Anderson, Angela Blake Morris, Kausar Iqbal, Elizabeth Baker, Maxine Young, Gloria Doty, Yvonne Carson, Kendra Peterson, Tina Smith, Christena Hammes, Jean Ann Williams, Ginger Kauffman, Lisa Simpkins, Amy Harper, Chris Roe

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

For advertising inquiries, please contact Nina Newton at editor@rubyforwomen.com

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Title

Page

Title

How Does Your Garden Grow? Lynn Mosher

Spirit

Apple-Stuffed Chicken Katherine Corrigan

Father’s Day Banner Card Craft Vintage Mama

Cucumber Sauce Katherine Corrigan

The Gingham’s Vintage Paper Dolls Vintage Mama

If Time Were Mine Chris Roe

Proverbs Challenge Angela Morris

Complete Chris Roe

Are You the Christ? Keith Wallis

Stepping into a New Chapter Scarlett VonGunten

Footprints in the Mud: Prayer Droplets Beth Brubaker

What Does it Mean to Delight in the Lord? Heather Bixler

Recipes from the Eastern Kitchen Kausar Iqbal

Connect the Letters Puzzle Beth Brubaker

Ruby Pearls Beth Brubaker

Ice Cream Crunch Vintage Mama

Sacred Truth Chris Roe

Logic Minesweeper Answer Key Beth Brubaker

Chris Roe

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Page 27

Swimming in Clothes Charlotte Siems

Strawberry Peach Pops

It Began Keith Wallis

Just a Kid at Heart! Christena Hammes

Yummy Summer Cherries Christena Hammes

Connect the Letters Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

Hope for Entrepreneurs Suffering from Impostor Syndrome Theresa Ceniccola

Ask Beth: Stay’cations Beth Brubaker

Page 31

Kill the Root Quickly – Bloom for God Deborah McCarragher

In Search of Silence Chris Roe

Sanctuary Chris Roe

Weeping in the Summer Garden Aunt Dots

Cross and Crown Quilt Block Laura Brandt

The Ruby for Women Writers

Credits and Copyrights

The Happy Housewife Elizabeth Baker

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Gossamer Wings Publications Bringing God’s gifts of creativity and vision together in beautiful works of artistry, spirituality, and inspiration gossamerwingspublishing@hotmail.com 2

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 3

* Aquarium Month * Candy Month * Rose Month * Dairy Month

June 1: National Doughnut Day June 4: Applesauce Cake Day June 4: Hug Your Cat Day June 6: National Yo Yo Day June 7: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day June 8: Best Friend Day June 9: Donald Duck Day June 10: Iced Tea Day June 12: Red Rose Day June 13: Sewing Machine Day June 14: Flag Day

* National Adopt a Cat Month * National Fresh Fruits and Veggies Month

June 16: Fresh Veggie Day June 17: Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day June 18: Go Fishing Day June 20: First Day of Summer June 20: Ice Cream Soda Day June 21: Go Skate Day

June 23: National Pink Day June 23: Take Your Dog to Work Day June 25: National Catfish Day June 26: Forgiveness Day June 27: Sunglasses Day June 29: Camera Day

School Daze by Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

Each child is different, each school and community is different, and every parent must do what they believe God has called them to do. Summer break from school begins tomorrow here in our little town. We have completed all of the end-of-school activities, including a third grade music program about a regular ol’ day at school and a fifth grade music program about the joys and adventure of reading. There have been field trips to the Fire Safety Village, track and field day, an all-day read-a-thon, and a couple of days to honor our principle who is retiring this year. One day the kids all wore ties to school, and then the next day all of the students created their own version of a mustache to wear to school in his honor. There has been a great deal of discussion far and wide for many years about whether or not Christian families could or should stay involved in public education. I remember when my older children were still in school, the discussions about whether to have our children in private school, home school, or public school reached a fever pitch. Often times those conversations generated much more heat than light, and I remained confused as to what was best for my children.

“As this school year ends and we contemplate the prospect of middle school in the fall, this mama’s heart struggles with a bit of anxiety about what is next, but with God’s guidance we will make the right choice for our little girls.”

When we read about or hear about some of the stories coming out of public schools, we shudder to think that our children are being taught values that are completely at odds with those our family holds close to our hearts. We are fearful of the influence that will come into the life of our family through contact with other students who will expose our children to ideas, language, and behavior that we deem inappropriate at best, and perhaps even dangerous. We realize that all education in a public school will be presented from a secular, worldly, materialistic perspective. And it is becoming increasing apparent that, in some places, even history is being re-written so that it is “politically correct.” All of that creates a situation that can be extremely stressful for parents!

In our family, there are teachers in both public and private schools; families whose children have attended both public and private schools and been exceptionally successful; families who have chosen to home school with excellent results; and families who have experienced the heartbreak of a child making dangerous choices, whether they went to public, private, or home schools. I have concluded that each family must decide what God has called them to do for their own situation. Here in our rural community in the heart of Indiana’s conservative farmland, we have discovered that most of our children’s teachers, administrators, coaches, janitors share our values and our faith. They are daily caring for our children with gentleness and kindness, and yet with the discipline that makes school a fun and safe place to be. Our girls love their school! As I drive the girls to school each morning, we travel around a lake and through fields planted with corn and soy beans. This is one of those areas of America where the farmer works from sunup to long after darkness steals over the horizon and the fireflies flit among the corn stalks. In the pasture beside the school playground the cows are grazing peacefully and the dogs race around, barking at the kids to get their attention. The neighbors all shout “Hey!” as we walk down the road, and ask us what the girls will be doing this summer. I know it’s not like that everywhere. But here in our little corner of a cornfield, we love our public school, we love our teachers, and we are truly grateful that God has brought us to this community. We feel safe and embraced; our children are connected with other adults through our church and school and know that there is always someone around who loves them. As this school year ends and we contemplate the prospect of middle school in the fall, this mama’s heart struggles with a bit of anxiety about what is next, but with God’s guidance we will make the right choice for our little girls. Each child is different, each school and community is different, every parent must do what they believe God has called them to do, and I am so grateful that we can all support and encourage one another, no matter what choice God has put on our hearts. Have a blessed, joyful, and safe summer! All photos used by permission and attribution to www.freedigitalphotos.net

Blinded by Frustration by Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Let’s face it, life is hard and challenging and often frustrating. Walking in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior in a fallen world isn’t easy. People, things, and circumstances can pull us down in an instant and we find ourselves echoing the words of David in Psalm 88:4, “I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.” This past week has been a tough one for me; nothing serious, just a few discouraging events one after the other. I began asking the Lord what was going on, why was this happening, and how was I ever going to get out of it. His reply was in the recalling of verses such as Romans 8:28, “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.” He also brought to mind the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Even after hearing these verses and being reminded of the goodness and care of the Lord, I was still having trouble finding that goodness in the midst of my circumstances. That’s when He led me to the words “blinded by frustration” found in the book You Set My Spirit Free by John of the Cross. That was it! I was so blinded by the feelings of discouragement that I wasn’t allowing myself to see God moving. I confessed this to the Lord and asked for His hand to remove the blinders and give me the peace and patience to see Him at work. When I set aside myself and my feelings of self pity, I began to see the Lord moving. Things were happening that were frustrating to me, but they were part of God’s plan to guide me even further along His path. What blessings I would have missed if I had remained blinded by my own frustrations! You Set My Spirit Free: A 40-Day Journey in the Company of John of the Cross, devotional by David Hazard is available from Amazon and GoodReads

Storing Up Treasures: Discovering the Gift of Family History by Angela Morris Recently I have been going through my family’s genealogical and historical documents. Simply said, I’m working on my family tree. I knew that my father’s side of the tree would be fairly simple to map. I was able to take advantage of the time I was given with my Great Grandmother to comb through the family Bible and find a trail that leads me through more than twenty-five generations of grandparents.

“I have come to realize that the gift is in what I already know. The rest is not as important as being present in this moment, in the here and now.”

As for my mother’s side of the tree I am only able to go back 3 or 4 generations. Much of the family history is difficult to find because too much time passed without asking the leading questions for my journey. Family history, in a sense, is a treasure for me. It gives me a glimpse of my roots and all the things that shaped me and those who came before me. It gives me an understanding of why I am who I am today. So much was gifted to me in information for one side and a great mystery has been left for the other. It has at times driven me crazy. I have wanted, for so long to fill in the gaps for the other side of my family. Alas, it is just not meant to be.

This journey makes me think of “storing up treasures.” As much as I want to know more, and would love to leave as much information about the family history to be a legacy for many generations to come, I have come to realize that the gift is in what I already know. The rest is not as important as being present in this moment, in the here and now. Storing up this treasure here on earth may give my daughter and her children a sense of family history, but it is nowhere near as important as their Heavenly family or heritage. I will continue to research my family, but I do not think I will do so at the expense of my sanity, or lose precious moments and memories I could currently be making with my immediate family. The lesson is quite simple: be ever present in the here and now, let the rest be what it is . . . behind me or in front of me. Either way I am learning that the treasure lies in what I have in my heart and not in the things I want to obtain.

Sweet Summer Memories: Popsicles! by Vintage Mama

In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson left his homemade combination of fruity soda powder and water outside during a record cold night in San Francisco, with a stir-stick left in the glass. He found the frozen concoction the next morning, using the stir stick to pull it out of the glass. He liked the taste. 18 years later, while running a lemonade stand in Oakland, Frank remembered this experience, and decided there was money to be made from it. He quickly moved to patent his “frozen ice on a stick,” calling it an Epsicle Ice Pop and introduced it with 7 different flavors.

In 1925, Frank sold his patent to the Joe Lowe Company, who in turn passed it on to the Good Humor Company, who currently owns the rights to the Popsicle brand name, making over 30 flavors. While holding the patent, Frank earned royalties on the sale of over 60 million popsicles. Not bad for an accidental invention. After WWII, families in the suburbs of America realized they could afford in-home refrigerators, and the Popsicle took off, showing up in grocery store freezers everywhere.

Frank’s children especially loved the concoction, calling it “Pop’s Sicle.” The name Popsicle soon stuck, and is pretty much what we call a frozen fruity snack on a stick.

Make Your Own Sweet-Icy Summer Treats! Orange Banana Smoothie Pops What you need: * 1 (7-oz) container Greek yogurt * 2/3 c. thawed orange juice concentrate * 2 large bananas * Zest of one lime * 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s make it! * Puree Greek yogurt, thawed orange juice concentrate, bananas, lime zest, and fresh lime juice in blender. * Pour into six 3-oz popsicle molds (you can also use paper muffin cups or mini baking tins). * Freeze until smoothie pops are solid, about 4 hours. * To release pops, dip molds into hot water until pops loosen and slide out. If using paper muffin cups, peel away paper before serving. 10

MOMumental – Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family by Jennifer Grant Book Review by Create with Joy * Are you a woman who dreams of motherhood and raising the perfect family? * Are you a new mom who is both excited and anxious about your new role? * Are you an overworked mother of six who is yearning for a time out? No matter where you fall on the “mom” scale – Jennifer Grant’s new book, MOMumental – Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family, is for you! MOMumental is a delightful memoir that pays tribute to the highs and lows of motherhood. Jennifer approaches motherhood as an adventure. Here’s a sampling of the destinations she’ll take you to in her book: * Do you dream of being the perfect parent? Make Velveteen Parenting – Adventures in Becoming Real your first stop! * Have you ever wondered if you’re raising a compulsive liar or a potential sociopath? A quick visit to On the Bwight Side – Adventures in Mistaking Kids for Mini-Adults is in order! * Do you sometimes feel like you’re losing your sense of self? An Escape to Gordon’s House – Adventures in Friendship will revive you! * Have you ever felt like you’re a terrible mom because of something you’ve done? You’ll find yourself in good company over at Mommy Misdemeanors – Adventures in Messing Up! Sometimes we need a little help from our friends to get through our days! Here are a few of the aids – some helpful, some humorous – Jennifer provides: * Are you a stress mess? Take the Signs You Might Be Burned Out and in Need of a Getaway with Friends test to see if you need a girl’s night out! * Are you on overload? Discover Five Multiple-Duty Products Busy Moms Shouldn’t Be Without! * Do you pray? You’ll appreciate A (Sort of) Serenity Prayer for Mothers of Young Children in an Anxious Time! Jennifer’s book is helpful, humorous, insightful and poignant – a real joy to read. If you’re ready to take a foray into the MOMumental world of parenting – let Jennifer Grant be your tour guide! 11

Jennifer Grant is a journalist and mother of four who currently freelances for the Chicago Tribune and regularly contributes to her.meneutics, Christianity Today magazine’s blog for women. In 2011, Thomas Nelson published her first book, a memoir entitled Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter; MOMumental from Worthy Publishers is her second book. Jennifer is also the co-founder of the Redbud Writers Guild.

Our Father…. by Gloria Doty When Jesus taught us to pray, he began the prayer with the words, ‘Our Father.’ The image of the perfect father is reflected in our heavenly Father. His love for us, his children, is complete and perfect. It never fails and never diminishes. No matter how often we disobey his rules, no matter how unloving we are, no matter how much we complain, no matter how we disappoint him, our heavenly Father still loves us. He continues to provide for us, protect us, and shower his blessings upon us. He always knows what is best for us. Just like children with their earthly fathers, we quarrel with God’s decisions, we complain about our day-to-day lives, we tell him we will obey, but soon forget. We constantly chafe at his rules. We are rebellious and want to do things our way. Many times, earthly fathers are quick to judge, or they punish unjustly, or take a long time to forgive a wrong or sometimes they leave their children and never return. Our heavenly Father is always forgiving, always just, always patient and always loving and does understand us, even better than we understand ourselves. He will never abandon us nor ignore us. We can keep this image of our perfect Father in mind every time we begin the prayer with the words, ‘Our Father…’ 12

Easing into the Uncomfortable by Shannon Medisky "Oh, the poor baby!" I heard one mother cry at the bus stop. The well-meaning mother had tried to intervene and pick Mark up off the top step of the school bus as he tried to get off. I stretched my arm out in front of her in an effort to stop her infringement on Mark's slow, but sure effort. "No, Mark can do it himself, but thanks," I said calmly as I looked up at Mark smiling, my arm still stretched out to ward off this woman's albeit well-meant but intrusive move. I heard the woman smack her lips and whisper to the other parents who were also waiting. I tried to keep my focus on what really mattered, Mark and his efforts. Granted, those were some big stairs to maneuver especially in light of Mark's short legs, but the fact still remained: If Mark was going to learn to do for himself, it was going to take us forcing him to experience what would sometimes be uncomfortable and even scary for him. And so it is with us. We mature, are strengthened and often do the most growing as a result of hardship. Whether it's being nudged just a bit out of our comfort zone or finding ourselves knocked over, blindsided and completely toppled by situation, whatever forces us to find a new way to hold on helps us gain in wisdom and knowledge. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 ESV

Did that woman not understand that I wanted nothing more than to pick Mark up and carry him off the bus myself? Of course I hated watching him struggle. I felt the stares of all the other children burning holes into my back just as much as Mark did. I also struggled to ignore all the hushed tones and thinly veiled whispers of all the parents who also stood watching and waiting. But to do so would have not only robbed Mark of the opportunity to learn andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even worseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;would have sent the message that I didn't think he could do it. How much God must love us to afford us the opportunity to struggle, to learn, to grow, to learn how to become more like Him. Within this loving context, it's much easier to ease into the uncomfortable no matter what it may be.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV 13

As in a Dream As in a dream the morning wakes; in misted dawning it yawns into day. Here, in cold breathed light and hazed vaguery, another meeting is birthed part formed, incomplete. For here the story of the day builds, with slow revelation and receding cloud, into unbred eternity. Soon the thrice-crowing of reality will steal good intention, stain the diary with some self-filled act, smudge the page with need. This is a quiet place awaiting the clamour, the gaudy voices, of unwelcome intrusion dusking its own darkness into the dawning. And yet, as in a dream, the morning wakes and holds within its gift all possible things.

~ Keith Wallis 14

Remain in Me… Always by Angela Morris “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 (NIV) It is a daily struggle not to think past the moment we are in. Especially if that moment opens up the flood gates to the land of “what ifs.” It is so easy to be swept away from the here and now, only to worry about what is coming. An even worse fate can be feeling caught in the past. Wishing we could change it so the future outcome or the current situation could be different. The Bible has a lot to say about being in the here and now. It constantly reminds us that remaining present is the only way to stay connected to the Spirit. In the next few articles we are going to focus on those Bible verses and how they can be applied to everyday life and everyday moments. Let’s first look at John 15:4 (NIV) “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

There is nothing more important than being in this very moment. He is not waiting for you in the future; He is looking for you now.

The very first sentence expresses without question the importance of remaining. Remain in me means to stay in His presence and if you are obedient to that command He will remain in you. For me this says that we need to stay focused on what is important. In any given situation the current moment is where He will be found. He is not found in the past because the moment is gone. There is nothing more important than being in this very moment. He is not waiting for you in the future; He is looking for you now.

When we look to the future, it is often done so in a self serving way. We are looking to plan an outcome or steer the course. This allows the current moment to slip away, bearing no fruit. An opportunity to seek God’s kingdom and serve Him first may have slipped away because the focus is placed on trying to control the direction in which our lives are being steered. So how do remain in Him always? The answer is prayer. When our thoughts run away or when we feel overwhelmed by possible outcomes or past hurts, it is that very moment we need to still ourselves and pray. Being in the current moment means stopping and embracing what is demanding our attention. Anxiety is brought on by worry and the natural need to control the outcome. Surrendering is giving it to Him and trusting fully that the outcome is already decided and will glorify God. This also 15

comes with accepting that the outcome may not be what is wanted. A hard pill to swallow, but scripture also reflects on this very thought. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV). Prayer: LORD please help me to know when to still myself and to remain in you. Teach me to learn to trust that you have a plan for me, and in that plan comes hope and a future. LORD this is not an easy task for my anxious heart, but I am willing to surrender to the process so I might be a vessel to be present in You, for You so that I might not miss an opportunity to bear fruit and Glorify Your Holy Name. It is in Jesus name I pray these things. –Amen-

Logic Minesweeper by Beth Brubaker

Answer Key on page 68 16

Overcoming Stress with the Word by Taylor Gilmore How many times a day do we hear ourselves or someone else saying things like; “I’m stressed, she’s stressed, this is stressful, he’s stressing me out.” The list goes on and on. Stress is serious and it’s killing people. According to an article on the www.ehealthmd.com website, “stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical symptoms that include headache and a fast heartbeat.” You can read the entire article here: What is Stress? As stated, stress is “caused by our response to pressure.” How are you responding? Do you get tense, uptight, and irritable? Do you find yourself obsessing about circumstances and become angry, fearful or anxious? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and remember you can have peace. God’s Word promises us if we give our cares and concerns to Him, He will give us peace. No matter what the circumstance may be, God is ready, willing and quite capable of handling it for you, so give it to Him. Your faith combined with God’s Word is an unstoppable force.

“God’s

Word promises us if we give our cares and concerns to Him, He will give us peace. No matter what the circumstance may be, God is ready, willing and quite capable of handling it for you, so give it to Him. Your faith combined with God’s Word is an unstoppable force.”

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation. Psalm 91:14-16 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 17

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law, That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. Psalm 94: 12-13 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father maybe glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. John 14: 13-14 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 There are so many verses in the Bible that will cover what ever the situation is. If you have a favorite verse that soothes please share it. I encourage you to get your word daily. Be Blessed!

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“Remember Me” Vintage Whitework Pieced Wall Hanging by Amy Marie Harper of “Threads in the Nest” unique pattern includes two vintage linens. I used a linen whitework tea towel that had lovely drawn thread embroidery. I usually will only cut one of these if the tea towel is This easy, but

stained or damaged. The rectangular doily pictured is in

excellent

condition and is only tacked down with surface stitching. It can be removed later if desired. This doily is probably part of a three piece duchess dresser set or an armchair set. Sadly, I only have the one piece. It would have come with a matching piece identical in size to place over the other arm of the chair (if the armchair set) and a

large

piece to place over the back of the armchair. I have seen the large

matching back piece online. Perhaps the makers grew tired of the

pattern after making the one doily. 19

I did quilt a simple outline border within the whitework. My other quilting stitches are hidden within the drawn threads.

The filet crochet has roses within the pattern. Would you have liked this doily on your armchair or dresser?

For your FREE printable pattern for this beautiful

“Remember Me” Vintage Whitework Pieced Wall Hanging by Amy Marie Harper visit Amy’s blog, “Threads in the Nest.”

How Does Your Garden Grow? by Lynn Mosher It’s that time of year and the thoughts of many turn to gardening. Do you love to tend a garden? Are you a prolific gardener, producing a bumper crop of everything you sow, or are you a threat to nature, killing even artificial plants? I tend to be somewhat closer to a threat! If you love to garden, what vegetables will you plant this year? Tomatoes, green beans, lettuce? What about flowers? Cosmos, Sweet Peas, sunflowers? How about herbs? Basil, thyme, rosemary? If you are a good gardener, when you plant seeds in your garden, you incorporate all the necessary elements to make them grow: planting for the best sun, providing water, critter repellent, bug spray, and tossing in some fertilizer and plant food, all in order to have strong, healthy plants. After the proper care, you know that, in time, you will have the fruits of your labor, the product of what you have sown. No matter what size your garden, whether it is a pot on your balcony, a small plot in your backyard, or a farm-size field, the harvest depends on your choice of seeds. When a farmer wants oranges, he does not plant tomatoes, and when he wants zucchini, he does not plant an apple tree. He has confidence that what he plants will be produced. Seems basic enough; whatever is sown is reaped. That is Basic Bible Principles 101. This basic truth is applicable to every area of our lives. As the Bible says, “For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.” (Gal. 6:7 AMP) Your everyday life is your garden. What you sow into it grows up around you. Do you sow the things of the world each day as negative, worthless seeds? The weed seeds of pride, fear, doubt, unbelief, defeat, depression, and complaining? Do you spread fertilizer on their soil in the form of gossiping to others, hatred magnified by prejudice, lust fueled by flirting around at work, unforgiveness inflated into bitterness, or whining so much that others don’t want to be around you? 21

Paul said, “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” (Gal. 6:8-9 NLT) So, do you sow positive, flourishing seeds of the Word? Like the seeds of faith, hope, strength, health, forgiveness, humility, and praise? Do you water them with joy, peace, love, encouragement, and blessing? In what amounts do you sow them? In whatever amount you sow, it will come back to you, as Paul said, “A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.” (2 Cor. 9:6b TLB) The Received Greek Text says it this way, “The one sowing on hope of blessing will also reap on blessing.” Consequently, a bumper crop of anything is proportionate to its sowing. Therefore, consciously sow to the end result desired. That verse also says that he who sows sparingly doesn’t get much in return. If you are stingy with the good seeds, retaining them to yourself, they produce nothing. Seeds have no intrinsic value in and of themselves. Therefore, seeds hoarded in the seed packet never produce another seed packet! They must be sown! At the end of each day, do you end up with more positive or negative seeds? Or do you have a mixture of blessings and cursings? Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant,” not only in thoughts and words but also in deeds. What kind of seeds will you plant this day?

From my heart to yours...Lynn

www.shannonmedisky.com 22

Apple Stuffed Chicken from the Kitchen of Katherine’s Corner For a summer lunch or supper, served up with a pasta salad and fresh fruit, this delicious recipe for Apple Stuffed Chicken is perfect! This just might become one of your family’s favorites. What you need: *4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 6 oz. each) * 1 Fuji apple (peeled, cored, and diced) * ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded) *2 Tbsp seasoned dried bread crumbs, Italian style * 1 ½ tsp fresh thyme (chopped), plus 3 large sprigs * 1 Tbsp lemon juice * ½ tsp salt * ½ tsp fresh ground pepper * ¼ cup all-purpose flour * 2 tsp olive oil

* ¾ cup apple cider * ½ cup chicken broth * 2 tsp Dijon mustard * 12 wooden toothpicks * Mixing bowl * Pie plate or shallow dish * Cutting board * Large non-stick skillet with lid * Cooking thermometer * Aluminum foil * Whisk

Before you start: Combine salt and pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Coat wooden toothpicks with nonstick cooking spray (place on a plate until ready to use) and pour flour into pie plate or shallow dish. Let’s make it! In a bowl, combine apple, cheese, bread crumbs, chopped thyme, lemon juice and half the salt / pepper mixture. On a cutting board, lightly press each chicken breast flat with one hand; using a sharp knife, carefully cut into the side of the breast to form a deep horizontal pocket (do not cut through the top, bottom, or backside of breast). Divide the apple mixture into four portions and stuff into chicken pockets. With the prepared toothpicks, poke through top and bottom to hold closed. Sprinkle the remaining salt / pepper mixture over the breasts. Dredge chicken in flour to lightly coat; tap off excess flour. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown 3 – 5 minutes per side. Pour ½ cup of the apple cider and the broth into skillet. Add thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 10 – 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the apple stuffing registers 165 degrees on a cooking thermometer. Remove thyme sprigs (and toss out) and chicken to a serving plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Whisk mustard and remaining ¼ cup cider into skillet; bring to a boil on high heat, let cook for about 3 – 5 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve. Serves 4. 23

Cucumber Sauce from the Kitchen of Katherine’s Corner This is a delightful dip for summer! You can use it for dipping crispy pita chips or fresh veggies from the garden. It’s also great for sandwiches and rollups. It’s delicious and oh-so-easy! Visit Katherine’s Corner for more wonderful summer recipes. What you need:

Let’s make it!

* 1 large cucumber (seeds removed) * 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt * 2 Tbsp Greek seasoning (from the market or make your own using the recipe below) * 1 Tbsp garlic powder * 1 Tbsp dill * Grater or shredder * Cheese cloth or clean tea towel

Using a grater (fine shred), shred cucumber and squeeze out all the liquid using a cheese cloth or towel. In a bowl combine cucumber, sour cream, Greek seasoning, garlic and dill and stir well with a fork. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer (overnight is best). That’s it! Serves 4 – 8. Greek Seasoning * 1 ½ tsp dried oregano * 1 tsp dried mint * 1 tsp dried thyme * ½ tsp dried basil * ½ tsp dried marjoram * ½ tsp dried minced onion * ¼ dried minced garlic In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in air tight container for up to 3 months. Makes about 12 teaspoons.

If Time Were Mine Your love is the space In which I exist. Your truth and inspiration Drives light Into the darkest corners Of my life. If time were mine to give, I would give it all to you. ~ Chris Roe

Complete In your presence, The circle is complete, The searching at an end. No demands, No duty, No dark corners of isolation. Only the soft light of creation, Moving gently Through the crystal silence, Of the morning dew ~ Chris Roe Of the morning dew

Stepping Into a New Chapter by Scarlett VonGunten I dream BIG!! I started out to do a 40 day fast. I made it to day #17. It was hard! I’ve never really denied myself anything. I started to feel like a failure for not going the whole 40 days. But I decided that I had persevered and also that God created food to be enjoyed and I was going to enjoy it!! I had several reasons for starting my fast: 1. We just moved from Oregon to Texas. My whole life has changed. I want to pray and seek God’s direction for our family here. I have some business mentors and one of them shared with me that “my life isn’t falling apart, it’s falling into place. I’m not stuck; I’m just stepping into a new chapter.” I so needed to hear that. I still need time to process what she said and believe it. 2. I had cancer 3 years ago. I’m dealing with the after effects of chemo. My hands now have eczema. It gets worse when I eat sugar. The fast helped me break my caffeine addiction and stop eating sugar. My hands did get better but they’re not healed yet. I’m working on making better choices in eating, but once a week, I’m going to just have what I want to eat on date night and enjoy a margarita too! 3. After 7 babies and cancer, I’ve put on more weight than I’d like. I’d like to get a jumpstart on my weight loss. I’m so tired of people asking me when I’m due with our next baby, especially since I had to have a hysterectomy and can’t have anymore babies. Or the person who looked at both my husband and I and said, “Oh, your kids get their genes from their Dad – tall and skinny. That explains it!” Really? Are people so thoughtless? I’ve had 7 babies and cancer stretch out this stomach. Can’t we just focus on something else besides my stomach? Can you tell that it’s a touchy subject for me? I loved the weight that I lost while I was fasting! I lost 12.8 lbs total! I love how I look in the mirror with that weight GONE!! I had some goals: first one being that I just wanted to weigh less than my husband! I married a 6′ 4″ man who’s only gained 10 lbs since high school. He eats what he wants, doesn’t exercise much and looks INCREDIBLE!! It’s just not fair! Well, if I was 6′ 4″, I’d be skinny too! But, after the juice fasting, I now weigh less than him!! WOOHOO!! Now to keep it off and keep losing!! 4. I need to seek direction for my business. Do I continue with iWoman Magazine? Finish my book? Create apps? Teach my kids to be entrepreneurs? I’m such a visionary and I have so many ideas. I need to focus. 27

I’m still working on this one. I’m still trying to figure out what to do with iWoman Magazine and whether or not to continue it. I am definitely teaching my children to be entrepreneurs! My two oldest daughters are each writing a novel. McKenna’s almost done with her game book and Morgan wrote our family recipes in her cookbook. We are working on apps right now. I still have lots of ideas! I definitely need to focus! I loved working through Jennie Allen’s study “Stuck Study - the places we get stuck & the God who sets us free” while I was fasting! I also am reading Katie Davis’ “Kisses from Katie – A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption”. My daughters read it too and we are so inspired by her story and love for the children of Uganda! She is one of the speakers at Catalyst Dallas and McKenna and Morgan are coming with me!! I love for my children to be a part of whatever I’m doing! They are so excited for this time away, just the 3 of us!! And they are grateful I’m not fasting. There’s an In-N-Out Burger in Dallas and we’re going!! Joshua 1:9 really spoke to my heart during this fast. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” I realize that no matter what I’m doing, if I’m eating or juicing, fasting or enjoying the food put before me, if I live in Oregon or Texas, I NEED GOD!! I NEED HIM!! I thirst for Him, like I thirst for water and I am parched and dry when I don’t spend enough time with Him! He is my best friend and I learned that He is always with me wherever I go and for that, I am so thankful!!

Scarlett Von Gunten Wife. Mom of 7. Entrepreneur. Cancer survivor. Secret dance music listener. Writer. Collector of friends. Love laughing! Scarlett’s mission is to inspire, motivate, connect and encourage people. She loves learning & being delight directed. Some moms like to scrapbook or quilt, Scarlett loves the computer & social media! Scarlett enjoys meeting people all over the world, becoming friends and helping others! Scarlett’s supporting the dreams of her children and providing the tools they need to implement their business ideas. She encourages kids to start their own business. What are your kids passionate about and how can they turn that into a business to serve others and make a profit? How can they impact the world at a young age? She believes that children CAN make a difference TODAY! Scarlett, her husband and their 7 children can usually be found traveling the country going to events together or on their Mac computers inventing and creating. Scarlett’s most quoted line to her husband is, “I have an idea!” When not reading a new book, she can be found shopping at Goodwill with her daughters. Visit Scarlett at her website: www.scarlettvongunten.com 28

What Does it Mean to Delight in the Lord? “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 Desires of My Heart by Heather Bixler is a devotional eBook based on Psalm 37:4. So many of us believers walk our Christian walk without really knowing what it means to delight in the Lord. Learn how to break through barriers so that you can have an authentic relationship with the Lord! “Reading the Bible, tithing, going to church, and serving isn’t how we delight in the Lord. When we delight in the Lord, we desire to read our Bible, tithe, go to church, and serve others.” ~ Heather Bixler, Desires of My Heart eBook So many of us live with regrets and wonder if God can really turn things around and redeem the mistakes we have made. “Even with this regret, I know that God can and will redeem. Through this experience I am learning more and more to trust Him with my whole life. If God says move, I am more likely to MOVE.” ~Heather Bixler, Desires of My Heart eBook Start walking the Christian walk today, living life with a heart guided by the Holy Spirit! Desires of My Heart is a powerful eBook that will help you work to get past any barriers you may have this are inhibiting your walk with the Lord, while also encouraging you to live a life guided by the Holy Spirit. “Failure happens when we look outward simply because we are focusing on the things we have no control over. You can’t control the time, you husband, even your children . . . . we all have a free will that was given to us by God. You certainly can’t control or manipulate God, so what do you have control over? What or who can you change? That’s right, YOU! When we learn to let God show us the truth about our self, we finally have a heart that is delighted in Him.” ~ Heather Bixler, Desires of My Heart eBook You can purchase your copy of Desires of my Heart HERE on Kindle for only 99 cents! Download your copy today!

Connect the Letters Word Puzzle by Beth Brubaker

Answer Key on page 71

Ice Cream Crunch Dessert Looking for a new twist on the traditional ice cream sundae? Ice Cream Crunch is a sweet combination of vanilla ice cream, crushed candy bars, crunchy cereal, nuts, and coconut. Perfect for the next church picnic, family reunion, or Sunday lunch! Give it a try and it just might become a family favorite.

Let’s make it! What you need: * 1 ½ cups (6 oz) crushed Heath bars * 8 cups vanilla ice cream, softened * 5 cups Rice Chex, crushed * 2 cups Cheerios * 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar * 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted * 1/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut, toasted * 2 Tbsp butter, melted

Stir crushed candy into ice cream. Cover and freeze until ready to use. Combine cereals, brown sugar, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until well blended. Press half of cereal mixture in bottom of a 9” X 13” baking pan. Let ice cream stand at room temperature for 20 minutes or until softened. Spread softened ice cream mixture over cereal mixture; top evenly with remaining cereal mixture. Cover and freeze 8 hours or overnight. 30

Swimming in Clothes by Charlotte Siems The hot sun shone brightly, reflecting on the warm sand. Sitting comfortably in a half-chair, feet burrowed in the powdery sand, I tried to concentrate on my book. Glancing frequently towards the water to keep track of the swimmers being tossed by the waves, my attention was divided. The sun grew hotter, and even the shade of the umbrella failed to cool the temperature. I was wearing a t-shirt and denim capris, but the water looked so inviting. Sweat began to bead on my forehead. I finally put the book aside and decided to join the family in the water. We had been at the beach for a couple of days, but I hadn't gotten any farther than a walk in the surf, wetting my ankles. Between helping with grandchildren and reading in the shade, I didn't have any desire to swim. Wading through the surf, the waves got deeper and my pants got wetter. One of the children spied me coming towards them and called out, "Mama!" What happened next made me feel embarrassed and elated all at the same time. Seven people turned around and watched me move towards them. Six children and one husband stopped their play and excitedly greeted me. The expression of their delight at my joining them astounded me. For a moment it seemed that time stopped and it was one of those shining moments in the sun. My heart caught in my throat and tears sprang to my eyes. Five-year-old Sophie greeted me with a knowing expression and called out "See, Mama?" as if to say "I'm a pro at riding the waves, hopefully you'll get it in time." The next surprise came when everybody gathered around and stayed nearby, laughing and talking, playing a made-up "sharks and dolphins" game, and warning each other of the next big wave. They had the whole ocean, and they stayed by me. As an adult whose childhood was filled with anxiety and the wariness of life being unsafe, I'm not very good at playing. Being the mother of a large family has often been a convenient excuse to avoid getting involved in the actual hands-on of games and play.

Sure, I provide the cookies and light the candles, but how often do I sit down to join the tea party? I'll take them to the beach and stand guard, but when do I jump in the water and discover the fun and relaxation of play? That moment of joining the family in swimming made me realize that I don't play enough. If I had decided to remain on the beach and protect my precious clothes I would have missed out on a special, life-changing moment. If I had stayed in my comfort zone, rationalizing why I didn't have time to swim, my children wouldn't have made a memory with their mother. If I had made the choice to remain in my comfortable chair, doing what I wanted to do, I would have missed the joyful reception that fed my soul. We can fool ourselves into thinking that we "don't have time" or "aren't the type" to have fun. We might feel uncomfortable about relaxing or playing because staying serious and being on guard is what feels normal. Years of thinking patterns have created behaviors that we aren't even aware of. The good news is that a new way of thinking and behaving is as simple as the next choice. We live hundreds of miles from the beach, but the lessons learned will go home with me: work hard, play hard and relax. The sands of time are shifting and life is too short to live without fun and laughter. Visit Charlotte at her blog, This Lovely Place, for more inspirational posts on family life. Charlotte Siems is a home-maker, home manager, T-Tapp Trainer, teacher, speaker and author. Her story of losing over 100 pounds with T-Tapp has encouraged thousands of people all over the world. She specializes in making home management and T-Tapp "doable" for real people and real life. She is happy to be a wife and mother of twelve children whom she has successfully taught at home for 25 years.

www.charlottesiems.com/thislovelyplace 32

More Icy-Sweet Summer Treats Frosty Strawberry Peach Popsicles from 3Four and Under What you need: * 1 cup strawberries, cut up * ½ cup peaches, sliced * 1 Tbsp sugar * ¾ cup vanilla yogurt Let’s make it! Place all ingredients in blender and blend until thoroughly incorporated. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and place in freezer until thoroughly frozen. For more great recipes please visit 3fourandunder.

More fun ideas for frosty summer treats! * Fill your homemade popsicles with small fresh diced fruit or thin fruit slices in the mix before freezing. * Add some sweetened cream, sugary milk, or yogurt to the fruit mix before freezing. * Add a mixture of coffee and chocolate bits to a creamy milk-based mixture. * Combine softened mint ice cream with chocolate chips and freeze in popsicle molds. * Combine softened vanilla ice cream with your favorite sliced or diced fruit such as strawberries, peaches, or sweet cherries.

It Began It began in the womb of time and the slow-grained flowing; it began when the rains came and the spirit of tomorrows glistened in the sweat of yesterday. It began when the river flowed and the waters broke in birth pains of caverns. In the rising of hills and the sinking of valleys, as the scraped knees of mountains bled down their ragged shins ……it began. ~ Keith Wallis

A River River of Small Stones by Keith Wallis A beautiful and inspirational book of poetry, perfect for gift-giving this Christmas season Poems written as “small stones,” polished moments of paying proper attention to life Available at www.ariverofstones.blogspot.com 34

Ask Beth by Beth Brubaker

Dear Beth, We can't afford a vacation this year, and we have no idea what to do on a stay'cation! Can you tell me what people do on these things?

Staying and Praying Dear Staying, Have no fear, help is here! In fact, my husband and I are stayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;cation experts, and we both have a lot of great ideas for you. Check out the local scene. Get on Google and do a search of fun things to do in your area. You might be surprised! We found many places we didn't know existed, and had a blast going to visit them! It also made things more fun for others who came from out of state to visit us, because we actually sounded like we knew what we were talking about when we showed them around. Ha! You and your family can make snacks together and visit neighbors, handing out the snacks as you chat. Not only will your neighbors appreciate the gesture, but you get to know each other too! Do a walkabout in your neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. You might make new friends! Plan day trips. If you don't have a car, you can always walk or bike to the closest park and play Frisbee, fly kites, and/or have a picnic lunch. Enjoy time with each other somewhere other than the house. Step outside of the map lines. If you do have a car, check out places within an hour or two driving distance, and then go exploring. This is particularly fun if you have a GPS to bail you out, though I have to admit, we don't own one and it was kind of fun to get lost once in a while. That's usually where you find those special tucked-away places that the locals know about, but tourists don't - and the prices can reflect on that, if you wanted to buy a little something. If you're not that daring, stick to the main roads and see what the locals have to offer! Do something different. Is there a pool nearby, or a beach within driving distance? What about a paintball range or laser tag room? Find things that you've wanted to do all year, but never had time for, and go for it! 35

Even if you all took a cooking class together, or went to an amusement park for a day, the idea is to step out of the everyday and do something special - isn't that what vacations are all about? If you don't want to spend much (or can't), you can always keep things simple - use the hose to stay cool, and play games like shooting water balloons off a wall, or have a sponge fight (especially if you happen to be washing your car at the time!). There are also wacky water sprayers that hook onto your hose to keep the small kids entertained (and sometimes the bigger ones!), and yard games that the entire family can do together. Most of them are reasonably priced, and won't kill your wallet - just dent it a little. Camping is also a great way to spend time together. You can go as rustic as you want. Many campgrounds offer a variety of types of grounds - some offer showers, bathrooms and electricity! And some are close enough that you don't have to cook over a fire pit - unless you want to! It's a nice change, and I guarantee the more rustic you get, the better you appreciate things when you get home (trust me on this). Though I have to admit, I still like hot dogs on a stick better than on the grill! Of course you can just set up a tent in the backyard, if it's big enough! Please try out some of these ideas - you might find a stayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;cation to be one of the best vacations you've ever had!

Happy Stayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;cationing! Beth

www.theresaceniccola.com 36

Kill the Root Quickly – Bloom for God by Deborah McCarragher As I headed out the door to church last Sunday, I sent up a quick prayer to the Lord in my thoughts, saying, "Jesus, help me to not have a root of bitterness towards my husband. Help me to let go of unmet expectations, disappointments, and awful feelings right now."

“God’s Word acts as our tool to dislodge the weeds that root in our soul. He lovingly loosens our emotions and pulls out sinfilled thoughts by His Spirit, as He weeds our garden and prepares us for heavenly fruit bearing.”

I know you might have struggled with the same thing. We’re not unique. There are many women living in a spiritually mismatched marriage who go to church week in and week out, alone. We pull into the parking lot and sometimes just sit in the car – watching the other families heading into the building. Other times we make our way into the sanctuary – scanning the crowd – looking for a place to settle in…alone. You see – I have been attending church alone for quite some time now. My husband has come on occasions like Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day. He has attended some Sunday school socials with me and had brunch or dinner with the other couples in my class – but he isn’t really interested in church fellowship or the things of God. I keep telling myself that one day it will all change. He will actually verbalize a desire to go with me . . . . I won’t even have to ask him to come.

I’m well aware of the fact that we all have different life experiences with regards to church attendance and our childhoods. My family was in the military. We moved frequently and we did not attend church regularly. I wasn’t interested in God until I was in my early 30’s with a small child of my own. However, my husband grew up going to a religious school as a youngster, and attended church as part of his family’s tradition. I personally don’t believe he ever really connected his heart with his actions. When we married, neither of us entered a house of worship with any regularity or passion. It wasn’t until a neighbor of mine invited me (with my young son) to attend church with her that I finally had my eyes “opened” to the True and Living God. I was born again and a fire was lit within my heart for Jesus. That was 23 years ago.

Living in an unequally-yoked marriage for that length of time gives you greater perspective on what matters most in God’s eyes. God’s Word tells us in Hebrews 12:14-15 to “Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any roof of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled”. Pursuing peace involves action on our part. We must submit our emotions and reactions to Him and not manifest outward frustrations to our spouse. King David’s wife Michal had a root of bitterness fed by jealousy (2 Samuel 20-22). We must “…cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (II Corinthians 10:5). After spending time in our flower beds this past week – I observed how some of the weeds had shallow roots and others were deeper. When I pulled at them – trying to dislodge the weed - many times I simply broke off the plant, leaving roots just below the surface. I merely removed what I saw – but underneath the soil the plant still existed. It would burst up through the dirt again in time. I really hadn’t taken care of the problem. Many times a root of bitterness can develop when we simply try to remove what we perceive is the surface problem. However, deep below are the true causes of those weeds: anger, resentment, jealousy, pride, and many more. Roots need to be eradicated swiftly and completely in order for the weed to disappear for good. It often requires digging it up with a sharp claw or tool that will loosen the dirt around the roots. God’s Word acts as our tool to dislodge the weeds that root in our soul. He lovingly loosens our emotions and pulls out sin-filled thoughts by His Spirit, as He weeds our garden and prepares us for heavenly fruit bearing. When I am conflicted and overwhelmed with unkind thoughts towards my husband, I ask the Father to visit my flower bed and inspect it for weeds. I don’t want a root of bitterness to ruin my Christian witness or affect my relationship at home. I hate pulling weeds and I imagine God probably doesn’t really enjoy doing it either… Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. Visit http://www.Godmissionpossible.blogspot.com 38

In Search Of Silence Beyond the storm, Where blue sky Still cradles The morning sun. In the clearing, Where shafts of light Hold back the shadows Of the ancient wood. Beyond conflict and pain And the inhumanity of man. Beyond duty And this journey That has seemed so long. Beyond the history That has brought me To this sacred place, This spiritual sanctuary. This peace, This silence, This love. ~ Chris Roe

Sanctuary Shafts of light through cathedral windows. Dappled shade upon the leaves beneath my feet. Bird song in the branches above. In the distance hind and fawn cross the forest track. The sweet fragrance of autumn fills the misty air. A gentle breeze moving colours to the forest floor. So precious such beauty, So hard to find such peaceful sanctuary. ~ Chris Roe

Weeping in the Summer Garden by Dorothy Kurchak Homer Excuse my tears, but I had to weep when I saw all the dandelions going to seed all over the back yard. Little puff balls all over the place. See them floating through the air with the greatest of ease. Sometimes we have to admit defeat and call for help. I needed help and found it with a local lawn service. My late husband, Mike, took very good care of the lawn but I wasn’t home much last summer and lost control by not spraying those darn dandelions! I didn’t mind writing the check to Andy, the lawn man, as the lawn now looks fabulous! I love my flowers but a nice green lawn is like an attractive carpet and foundation for all your gardens. So this summer I’ll depend on Andy to keep the lawn green, growing and weed free. June is considered to be the “Rose Month.” Here in zone 5 of the U.S. the roses are looking pretty good. Experts advise fertilizing the roses when they are in full leaf, after the first bloom and six weeks before the last frost (but not after Sept 1 in most areas). I started spraying for black spot early as the weather here warmed up so soon. Black spot is a pest and ruins the appearance of the plant when the leaves turn yellow and fall off. The plant looks like a woman with a tooshort shirt. This is a ground cover rose called Party Dress. I like the cute little single petal flowers. They look like a wild rose. I also have a yellow one which has been overtaken by vinca. Once more I failed to keep up with maintenance. I’ve had good luck with roses, after I learned how to plant them. In zone 5 the roses have to be planted deeper. Refer to the directions for your area. I noticed on the Internet that Jackson and Perkins is bankrupt and is being sold. But, I’m sure first class roses will still be available. This month I’m taking part in a garden walk. A local group of green thumbs have signed up seven gardeners who are willing to take part. I’ve never taken part as a home owner or garden guest before so I don’t know what to expect, except to have my gardens in tip top condition. 41

As soon as I got back from Florida I’ve been doing what I can but the weather was not very cooperative. It was hot in March but turned seasonal, cool and wet, for May. The shade garden looks good and thankfully doesn’t need much care. I did have to move some hostas. They don’t seem to mind moving. Don’t you just love them! They are so easy to care for, just give them some shade and water. They do have a problem with slugs. Use some systemic around the base early in the spring to take care of those. Their flowers are nice but I grow them for the leaves. Among the hostas are some wild ferns I brought from the woods. There are at least four different varieties. I’ve tried to identify them by referring to sites on the internet, but haven’t had any luck so far. There are just offers for books so I guess I’ll have to buy a book, but which one? I’ll ask Ben, my son, he knows everything. The garden shows on TV talk about “garden rooms”, so I’m going to create a garden room along one edge of the lawn. It’s a cool place in the hot afternoon. I’ll need a bench or seat of some kind. Since it’s shady, I can move some of the overflow from the shade garden there. The neighbor will be having a sale of her overflow of seedlings so I can get some plants from her. That will be an ongoing project for this summer and I’ll show you the results next month. In the meantime, try some new plants in your garden this summer. There are so many to choose from. In late summer the nurseries will be having sales when you can pick up plants at a reduced price. Usually at that time of the summer there isn’t room in my perennial gardens for more plants because the annuals are still in bloom and have filled in the empty spaces. I bury the new plants, pot and all, in the vegetable garden until later when I clean up the flower beds. Then I can see where they will fit in. Thank you for stopping in and talking gardening. The verse “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” keeps coming to mind. I believe it’s the Lord telling me to put Him first instead of the gardens. I believe I will take His advice as I hope you will also.

In Christ, Aunt Dots

Gossamer Wings Publications Bringing God’s gifts of creativity and vision together in beautiful works of artistry, spirituality, and inspiration gossamerwingspublishing@hotmail.com 42

The Happy Housewife by Elizabeth Baker Foreword (2012) Receiving a candid glimpse into one’s personal past is a rare privilege, but I got one. When I began converting The Happy Housewife from physical pages to electronic files, the past came rushing at me headlong. Here were my thoughts, feelings, and conclusions from forty years ago come to life in my own words. I scarcely knew the young mother who was publishing her first book before her thirtieth birthday. It was like looking in a mirror and wondering how the wrinkles and grey hair happened so suddenly. Yet, as I continued down memory lane, I was surprised to find most of my conclusions as valid in 2012 as they had been in 1976. Life was certainly different but truth was not.

“I scarcely knew the young mother who was publishing her first book before her thirtieth birthday. It was like looking in a mirror and wondering how the wrinkles and grey hair happened so suddenly.”

Back then there were no computers, cell phones or Internet. In fact, even school backpacks were not yet in vogue. I know. I created the first few chapters with a pencil borrowed from my daughter’s pile of arm-held supplies and finished out on a manual typewriter bought at a garage sale. It was a pleasure to find the advice I gave long ago and the emotions I felt then are as valid today as they were when I pulled carbon-paper copies from black rubber rollers. Of course, some things can’t help but change and one of those is the English language. In the ‘70s, gender correctness was in its infancy. My generation had no problem with the fact that our mailman was a woman.

When our church congregation sang, “Brethren we have met to worship,” no one was insulted and everyone understood brethren meant everyone—male and female equally. I still remember how shocked I was when many years later my doctoral committee made me change my dissertation to read humankind instead of mankind. Another change forced by time is the capitalization of pronouns referring to deity. Once it was acceptable to put Him in the middle of a sentence. No more. Now, it gives the grammar check indigestion. Even God with a capitol “G” is slowly changing. For some that spelling no longer refers exclusively to Jehovah, the God of Christians and Jews, but to an unidentified, all-powerful force of nature or a general idea of Supreme Being unbound by religious connotations. 43

Today, when I write for publication I keep these changes in mind. I compose for editors with an updated style book and modern readers. But for this book, I have chosen to keep mixed gender identified with masculine pronouns rather than he/she and to capitalize all pronouns referring to Deity despite grammatical rules to the contrary. Just chalk it up to an old lady who is still part of mankind and delights in worshiping Him. Other things never change. Motherhood involves joys and baby puke, insecurities and dreams, hard work and confusion—just like always. And, the practicality of applying Bible solutions to daily problems works the same yesterday, today and forever. I found fresh proof of that as I read the closing paragraphs of the 1976 edition. Their timelessness touched me so deeply I decided to include them as a close to this 2012 Foreword: “One of the basic facts of this book has been that its author is no one special. I am a housewife with little education and no formal Bible training. I am very common, but I serve a most uncommon God. And the great thing about that statement is that, if you want Him, He will be your God and Savior, too. If Jesus can use my small faith, He can surely use yours. If He can teach my thick head, He can teach you, too. If He can use my talent, He can use yours. There is no limit to His forgiveness, no bounds to His great love, nothing He can’t conquer, no person He can’t save. If this book has impressed you with the ability of the Lord to touch the everyday things, it has achieved its purpose. If it has caused you to see more clearly the goals God has for you, it has been well worth the tedious hours I’ve devoted to it. If it has stirred in your heart a desire to know more of Him, then I am more than repaid for the times I’ve prayed for you over these typewriter keys.”

The Happy Housewife 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. The Happy Housewife is now available from Amazon Kindle.

The Happy Housewife by Elizabeth Baker Preface (1976) In the past I have read articles about how to raise kids and run a home that I feel sure were written by a fat bachelor in his mid-60s. This book was begun on the kitchen table with a school pencil I borrowed from my daughter and was completed with a $10 typewriter I bought at a rummage sale. I am neither complaining nor bragging with the above statement. I only want you to know that when I used such terms as crying kids, backache, contrary husbands and dirty dishes, I know whereof I speak. I have been thoroughly initiated into the art of being female with 30 years experience. My home is a new white farm house in a tiny country community in East Texas. I have one husband, four kids, two dogs and one cat. I never have extra time. I never have extra money.

To say that I am an “average housewife” is an understatement. The house has a mortgage and the dogs have fleas. If I were any more “average” I would fade into the woodwork There is no maid in this house, except the one all the children call Mama. The hands that fold the laundry, scrub the toilet, and bathe the baby are attached to my wrist. I wrote this book in between chores—washing, cooking, cleaning, and otherwise caring for a family of six. The only reason I begin this foolhardy adventure is that I have discovered something wonderful. Something that can take an overworked, depressed, empty woman and make her “to be a joyful mother of children.” (Psalms 113:9) And I want with a fervent heart to share these things with you.

Chapter 1 Eve’s Daughters When God created people, He made one male and one female. There was no room for confusion; it was a simple, clear-cut situation. There were not a dozen varieties to choose from; in fact, you could not choose at all. You were male or female by birth, and nothing was left doubting. But society of late has succeeded in placing a misty fog over the line dividing the sexes and has melted into blended hues what used to be contrasting colors. My daughter brought home a fifth grade Weekly Reader the front page of which was given to full color photographs of women engaged in what used to be called “men’s work.” A cute brunette of not more than 22 was perched on a roof hammering nails with a delighted smile.

Another picture was of a black woman who drives her own truck, and so on. The intent was to tell the girls that no more did they have to confine their talents to being nurses or store clerks or housewives; now they could be anything they had desire and daring enough to tackle. I will let you decide whether this liberty is good or evil. The fact remains that society’s view of womanhood has shifted in the past few years. If you ask a dozen people what the proper place for a woman is, you will most likely get 12 different answers. “A woman’s place is in the home” / “A woman has every right a man does” / “A woman should obey her husband.” Once upon a time when I was young, upset and stupid, I tried to put into words exactly what I wanted from this life. As I recall my goals went something like this: 45

* To be strong enough to feed the hogs every morning before breakfast. * To run a perfect home without spot or flaw. * To be talented enough to write $1,000 worth of poetry in one afternoon. * To amply fill a negligee all my life. The only one of these goals that I have managed to achieve is that I do amply fill a negligee. In fact, I so amply fill everything I put on that last week my breeches ripped and now I am on a diet . . . again. What do you want to be? What does God expect a woman to be? Should she be soft and demure? Should she be outgoing and rambunctious? Is it sinful if men find her attractive? Should a woman work outside the home, or is her place exclusively at the kitchen sink? What must Eve have been like when God first presented her to Adam in all the beauty of perfection? We know that she was a reflection of the glory of Adam, who was a reflection of the glory of God (I Corinthians 1:7). She was without flaw. Perfect grace, perfect complexion, perfect body, perfect hair, perfect personality created by the love of God. Sin came and deceived Eve and brought the aging process and eventual death. No longer can a woman hope to obtain or keep that physical perfection which she lost in Eden.

1. Love: A Christian woman’s love for her family should be beyond question. Her husband should be able to trust that love completely and without hesitation (Proverbs. 31:11). Her children should know and feel that love and see it in her gentle ways and patience. 2. Joy: This is not instruction to wear a plastic grin no matter how we feel. The kind of joy Paul speaks about here is the inexplicable deep contentment that is obtained by a close personal relationship with Jesus. It is the assurance and peace that should and can live in the heart of every Christian and shows its presence in unshakableness. Everyone has “down” days, times when weariness or sadness or troublesome circumstance wipe away all smiles for a while, but for one who places all things in the hands of the Master every low valley will be surrounded by mountains of happiness. 3. Peace: A Christian wife should not only be at peace with herself, she should create peace. Mama is the balance staff of the family. She, more than anyone else, determines the atmosphere of the home and influences the actions and attitudes of the family members toward each other. 4. Longsuffering: This is patience. Patience when the children have missed their naps and are as hard to please as a mother-in-law with a headache. Patience when the man of the house buys a new fishing rod and you have put off a much needed dress because you didn’t think the budget could stand it. The patience of a saint.

But if the woman possesses Christ, if she is born again a new creature, then Christ lives within her (Galatians 2:20).

5. Gentleness: This is a quality expected of all Christians but specifically demanded of Christian women. The Lord God Himself finds gentleness and quietness in a woman to be of great value (I Peter 3:4).

Christ is perfect, and He desires to work out His perfection in her personality (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28).

6. Goodness: Both in deed and thought.

A list of qualities He desires to produce in each of us is found in Galatians 5:22-23:

7. Faith: Before a woman can possess any of the qualities of Christ, she must first possess Christ Himself. She must exercise a living useful faith in daily circumstances. 46

8. Meekness: This is humility. A Christian woman should be able to admit when she is wrong. She should not be in competition with all the other wives on the block. She should accept her husband’s authority over her. 9. Temperance: A woman in normal health will not be fat if she is temperate about food. She will not insist on more expensive clothes than her husband can afford if she is temperate about dress. She will not lose control of her tongue if she is temperate in speech.

We can no more force ourselves into the image of Christ than we can stuff a 200-pound weightlifter into a girdle and make her look like Miss America. The surest recipe for ulcers I know is to force our lips into a grin, grit our teeth, and try to silence all the jealousy or rebellion or strange loneliness we feel. There is a vast difference between knowing what God wants and being what God wants. It is only human to be nervous when the laundry is piling up and babies are crying and dinner is late.

A perfect Christian woman would beam all these qualities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And if that goal is as mind-boggling to you as it was to me the first time I read it, just pull up a chair and consider yourself one of the family.

It is natural to resent being the family scrub woman and to feel that you have been shortchanged out of your dreams. There is pain in watching the bloom of your youth fade as years and hard times take their toll.

Who could possibly conform to a goal like that? Who could have absolute control over her body and brain? Who could be like Christ?

It is only human to be crabby and nag your husband when things never seem to go your way.

Surely, to use self determination in trying to force oneself into Christ-like perfection is an impossible dream.

But that is what the process of sanctification all is about . . . becoming something more than “human.”

Visit Elizabeth on her blog, Tracing God’s Footprints in Your Life, to read more of her inspiring and humorous posts, and be sure to come back next month for chapter 2 of “The Happy Housewife.”

Elizabeth Baker

is an author and retired counselor drawing on thirtyfive 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

fÑ|Ü|à Keeper of the morning light, guardian of the flame, white knight of my soul. Given at the beginning, as a last defense, at the centre of life. Never beaten or destroyed, never taken or confined, never traded or lost. And shared only for love. ~ Chris Roe

Create Your Own Father’s Day Banner Card with this tutorial by Vintage Mama

After creating the Mother’s Day Banner (which our Grandma loved, by the way!), I thought it would be fun to create something a bit different for Father’s Day. Since making mini-collage projects has been a craft that we do frequently at our house, it just seemed like a good idea to try to create a mini-collage for each letter in the word “Father” (we are also working on one that says “Grandpa”). Not only is this banner card fun to make, it is a project that you can use up bits and pieces and tiny scraps of ribbons and other fibers, as well as solo vintage buttons and any other ephemera you might have hiding out in the back of your scrapbooking or craft drawer. In addition, it is not only a card that you can send through the mail, is can be displayed year ‘round on a mantle or shelf to remind Dad or Grandpa that they are loved and thought of often. For our Father’s Day Banner Card we chose a color combination of dark red, black, ivory, and brown with a bit of gold rick-rack to give it a little “pop” of color. We also used a few stick-on keys and watches for a masculine look. The paper is scrapbook cardstock that was purchased at Hobby Lobby in the colors we chose. Each piece of the cardstock is 6” X 6” square, but you could use any size you want. Using a square, however, provides a wider base if you want to make a stand-up banner card. Our banner card for Grandpa is going to be in shades of blue, brown, ivory, and gold with letters in either dark blue or dark brown. Probably lots of gold ribbon and rick-rack, too! Vintage gold and brown buttons will add a nice touch, and we have also found websites where we can print out vintage images of cars, or fishing stuff, or tractors (our Grandpa loves tractors!), so this will be quite an adventure finding all of the odds and ends to make our next banner card. 49

Pull out your odds and ends of scrapbooking ephemera, a few ribbons, braids, and buttons and let’s get started making a Father’s Day Banner Card! What you need: * Scrapbooking cardstock, 6” X 6” squares (you can cut your own to this size or use regular scrapbooking paper cut to this size and glued onto a piece of plain cardstock) * Scraps of ribbon, braid, rick-rack, paper * Vintage buttons, scrapbooking ephemera * Scissors * Glue

* Paper cutter

* Heavy books and tin foil

Let’s make it! Step 1: Begin by deciding which colors and patterns of paper you will be using. Choose twice the number of squares of cardstock that you will need for the word you want to spell (six for Father or seven for Grandpa). Step 2: Glue two pieces of cardstock, back to back, for each letter of your banner card. So, if you want to spell “Father” you will need 12 squares of cardstock and glue them together, two at a time, back to back, to finish with six squares of double thickness cardstock. Cover each square with a piece of tinfoil (to prevent sticking) and weigh down with a heavy book or two and let dry overnight. This is to prevent the cardstock from curling or buckling while it is drying and you will have a nice flat surface to work on for each letter collage. * You can also use regular scrapbook paper, cut to the right size for your banner card letters, and glue one square to either side of a piece of regular cardstock. Use the tinfoil to cover each square and weigh it down with a heavy book so that it will dry flat. Step 4: Print out the letters on plain cardstock to spell out the word for either “Father” or “Grandpa” (or even “Dad” or “Papa” or whatever special name you have in your family for your special Daddy!) You can find lots of alphabet letters at Granny Enchanted’s blog . . . . every style, every season, every color you can imagine! They are all free to print out and use for your craft and scrapbook projects, but be sure to leave a sweet comment and let her know how much you appreciate her generosity. 50

Step 5: Cut out the letters and prepare them to be placed on the cardstock squares: either cut them out completely or if there is a background to each letter that coordinates with your theme, cut around the background. Match each letter of the word you have chosen to one of the cardstock squares. You will want to glue each letter onto a card square before completing the rest of the embellishments.

* If you would like to create a “frame” for each letter to make it stand out better on your cardstock squares, simply glue each letter onto a solid color background and cut around the letter leaving a ¼” frame all around. This is helpful if you have a background card square that might be too “busy” and the frame will bring out the letter so it doesn’t get “lost” in the background pattern.

After you have all of your letters prepared, it is time to line up your cardstock squares in order and glue the letters in place!

* For our Father’s Day banner card, we alternated the colors, beginning with a dark red card, then a black card, then another dark red card and so on. You could use all the same color background on your card squares, or you could use a different color for each one.

Step 6: After you glue one letter to each cardstock square, you will again want to cover each one with tin foil and weigh it down with a heavy book or two, to be sure that it dries flat. Now it is time to begin to figure out what embellishments you want on each of your cardstock squares.

* Try different combinations of braids, ribbons, rick-rack, buttons or gems, vintage pictures or other scrapbook ephemera, including chipboard shapes such as keys, or clocks, or gardening utensils, or fishing images, or anything that your Dad or Grandpa is fond of. For the first mini-collage with the letter “F,” we made a little medallion using a strip of folded paper (simply fold accordion-style the entire length of a strip of scrapbook paper and then bring one end around to meet the other, creating a circular medallion – glue the ends together and weigh down until it dries), and then added a vintage button and four strips of narrow black ribbon. With a gold chipboard key and a black and gold tone button, this one was complete!

Our second card with the letter “A” features a bottom border created using black satin ribbon and a scrap of gold rick-rack that we found in the bottom of our scrap box. Then a vintage watch face from our scrapbooking stash was added at the upper right side of the letter, and three brown vintage buttons are lined up along the left side of the letter, with the largest button at the top, down to the smallest button on the bottom.

The letter “T” is embellished with a strip of wide black rick-rack down the left side of the card and a strip of brown braid across the top, creating a little “corner” where a vintage brown button fits just perfectly! A pewter colored chipboard key stands boldly along the right side of the letter and a vintage black button adds balance to that side of the card.

For the letter “H” we cut a strip of dark red paper and glued it on the right side of the card, and glued a narrow ivory satin ribbon down the center. This made a perfect background for four vintage brown buttons. With the black and white polka dot background, and the writing behind the letter, this card really didn’t need very much more embellishment! One pewter colored watch embellishment was added to the bottom left corner of the letter to balance the design. The letter “E” card has a bottom border of black and white stripes cut from one of the extra cards, and a narrow black satin ribbon strip was glued across the top of that border, as well as along the top of the card. A gold tone chipboard key embellishes the left side of the letter. At the lower right corner we placed a medallion cut from a piece of scrap paper, with a vintage military button in the center.

The final card with the letter “R” has oldfashioned corners cut from scraps of the dark red paper, a strip of wide black rick-rack down the left side of the letter, a pewter colored chipboard key along the bottom of the letter, and a medallion cut from another piece of scrapbook paper that says “Journey.” A vintage black and rhinestone button finishes this last card just perfectly! 53

Step 7: When you complete the embellishments on each card, it is important that you allow them all to dry overnight. I have found that the best way to dry your cards with the most successful outcome is to place each card between layers of tin foil and weight it down with a heavy book or two. Even if you have a few embellishments that are three-dimensional such as buttons or chipboard shapes, a heavy book will weigh it down while it is drying so that it stay more securely in place.

Step 8: After all your card squares are embellished and thoroughly dry, it is time to connect them together to make a banner. Begin by punching three holes in the RIGHT side of the first card (do not punch holes in the LEFT side of the first card) using a single-hole punch. Measure the length of the side of the card and divide it evenly so that your three holes are the same distance apart. For instance, if your cards are 6” X 6”, the top hole would be approximately ½” from the top, the middle hole would be at exactly 3” from top and bottom, and the bottom hole would be ½” from the bottom, so that each hole is 2 ½” apart.

Then, punch three holes in BOTH sides of the remaining middle card squares, leaving the last card square with holes punched in ONLY the LEFT side. Measure each row of holes to match the card to which it will be connected.

Step 9: After all the cards have three holes punched along the sides, you can begin to lace them together with ribbon, twine, or yarn. We used a fuzzy fiber yarn in shades of brown, ivory, gray and black to coordinate with the colors of the cards.

Pull one end of the ribbon or yarn through from the back of the top hole on both cards. Tie a double-knot, making sure that the cards do not overlap (or the banner will not stand up correctly). You want to tie the ribbon or yarn tight enough to hold the cards side-by-side, but not so tight that they overlap. Continue tying ribbon or yarn through each set of holes, connecting one card to the other, until you have them all connected. When you have them all connected you can trim any excess length from the ribbon or yarn if you want to. Stand your banner card on a mantle, creating a little zig-zag design or you can also stand the banner card in a semi-circle. This beautiful card can be easily mailed in a padded envelope or a hand-crafted box envelope.

Because of the thickness of this card, it cannot be mailed in a regular envelope but if you stop by mamas*little*treasures, there will be a tutorial there very soon to show you how to create a hand-crafted envelope box from lightweight cardboard and more scrapbook paper . . . . you can even make the envelope to match the card!

The Ginghams Paper Dolls from the collection of Vintage Mama

Proverbs Challenge: A Journey of Wisdom by Angela Morris

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” June starts our Proverbs challenge to read one chapter of Proverbs each month. In this challenge I will reflect on what I felt applied to me or spoke to my heart. These thoughts may not be what caught your attention, so we want to hear from you. Please share with us the things that spoke to your heart from these chapters by emailing amorris@rubyforwomen.com Proverbs is filled with straight- forward, in-your-face nuggets of wisdom. We hope you will join us on this journey. Proverbs 1:7 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline. How often do we hear that we must fear God? I believe we hear it on a regular basis and that it is sprinkled throughout the entire Bible. Fear is not as straight forward as you would expect. Fear is dimensional. In this case my NIV Study Bible states that "fear is actually another word for reverence or worship." I can't help but think that the fool is the one who is not in the Word daily giving praise to God. I all too often lack the discipline it takes to sit down each day and make time to read the Bible. It’s not because life gets in the way, I get in my way. I can talk myself out of a good thing in a heartbeat. 57

9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. This is where honoring your mother and father comes in. It is a display of our values for all to see. When we do good it reflects our family and when we do wrong it reflects our family. So if we are to act we need to remember our actions are a reflection of our teachings, our family and where we are in our walk with God. (Matthew Henry Commentary) 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; Wisdom is available to all who seek it. It is not selected for just a small few. Wisdom in this case is knowledge of God and an understanding of what is right and wrong. 22 "How long will you simple ones [d] love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? This says to me that ignorance is not bliss. The knowledge that God provides is simple and available to all who seek it. 23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. God is available to us all. He wants to share his love with us and if we are open to Him, He will reveal Himself to us. 24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, 25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;

I will mock when calamity overtakes you 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. This once again reminds me of Jonah. God revealed himself to Jonah and Jonah ran. That is when calamity came into play. Jonah rebuked what God asked of him so disaster overtook him and I am certain that being in the belly of a whale will overwhelm a person. The good thing is that Jonah finally feared God in the right way and out of his calamity and distress did what God asked. Then he was blessed. This shows that it is never too late to open your heart to God and to seek the wisdom He has to offer us all. 28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. 29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, 30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." This supports what I said above. If we will not hear God and seek his wisdom, if we turn away from Him he will not answer us. Looking for Him only when it becomes convenient is not truly seeking God, it is seeking our own desired end result and for that, He will not be found. Well, that is the end of Chapter one. These are truly just my personal thoughts. I am not in any way shape or form a theologian or teacher of the Word. I am eager to hear what you all might have to add. Please remember to keep comments and discussions respectful. Thank you and I will see you all again next month for Proverbs 2.

Are You the Christ? Are You the Christ that heals the leper, makes the sinner spotless, clean? Are You the Christ whose name is mercy when it’s justice we should glean? Are You the Christ of bible stories the true Christ who’ll come again? Are You the Christ - pure and holy yet glad to call me ‘friend’? Are You the Christ for crying comfort, the Christ of love that touches souls? You the crippled Christ of Calvary who makes the broken whole ? You are the Christ-king of the gospels; the Christ - triumphant King. The Christ who feeds the hungry hearts and lifts the suffering. The Christ who welcomes easily, who’ll come and daily dine at the meanest, poorest, table changing water into wine. And wine to blood so freely flows and mingle body-bread the remembery meal that prophesies that Christ is here, not dead. ~ Keith Wallis

Footprints in the Mud Prayer Droplets by Beth Brubaker Ever have one of those days, weeks, months where you can't find time for prayer? It seems that the moment your feet hit the floor, there's no time to bend your knees. There's just too much going on the second you open your eyes! The alarm goes off and you have someone at your door telling you they need to be fed (aka the cats), and you try to pray before you get out of bed - at least until the alarm wakes you up again. They don't call it a snooze button for nothing! Now you're late in getting the kids up, because they never remember to set their alarms - you are their alarm. You say something loving and motherly like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get your butt out of bed and be ready in thirty seconds, or you don't eat!' and slam the light switch into the 'on' position, blinding them so that they blink rapidly for the next three hours. In the meantime you have to make the bed, get dressed and be downstairs to make some sort of breakfast, wondering if there is any nutritional value in stale crackers. Still, you manage to whip up something remotely healthy, and feed everyone (including the cats). This might be a perfect time to rest, except your son has an odorous vapor coming from him that's killing the houseplants. Someone forgot to shower (I won't say who), and change out of his school stuff from yesterday. Since he has about three seconds to be ready for the bus, you make him change into fresh clothes, douse him with Febreze spray, and hope he doesn't cause a nausea epidemic at school. Your daughter managed to pack her own lunch (a peanut butter and fluff sandwich that she enhanced with chocolate syrup, a baggie of pretzels and some carrot sticks), and as your son boards the bus, you realize that the bottomless pit forgot to pack his lunch. The only prayer you've gotten in so far is thanking God that you're a good runner and caught up with the bus, lunch in hand. You have no idea what was in the bag, because your daughter packed it, and by this time, you couldn't really give a hoot. By the time you take your daughter to school and come back, you think you'll have time to pray. But wait! Did you look in the kitchen? Not only are the dishes from last night sitting around awaiting your attention, but all the cookware and stuff from breakfast is there too! Including the container your daughter used to mix the syrup and fluff together. Sticky fluff spattered all over the counters. 61

Does this sound familiar? So many times I hear people tell me I need to take a chunk of time out for the Lord, to pray and read my Bible and have quiet time. Quiet time? What's that? It's a mystical thing that's only manifested in a space-time continuum. And trust me - there isn't one of those in my house. If you can find time, that's great, but I have an idea for those that really need prayer time and can't get it - don't wait to pray by the bucketful concerning time, pray in droplets. You don't need an hour. You don't even need thirty minutes. You might need ten if you're reading the Bible, but if you're talking prayer (and I am), you only need less than a minute at a time. Remember that last part. At a time. God doesn't care if we pray while doing the dishes, making lunches or even those private moments in the bathroom! All He wants us to do is pray. In fact, he wants us to pray all day long. And spread out throughout the entire day, I bet you get a lot more praying in than if you sat down for an hour! All you need to do is pause when you have a second to breathe. Breathe in that soapy water at the sink - breathe in deep, and let it out slowly. And pray about whatever is on your mind. When making lunches, pray over them as you pack. When you're walking back from the bus stop, look around and pray for others you see, but don't know. Pray for neighbors and friends in the neighborhood. I bet if you do, you'll find yourself praying deeper than you might have kneeling by your bed. Out of sight can mean out of mind, and you might surprise yourself in what you're praying about - even if you're out of breath from catching a school bus. It also helps to keep you in a more Biblical state of mind. Maybe instead of yelling at Mr. Pinhead for cutting you off in traffic, you pray for him. Even if you pray for him to take the next turnoff - it still counts! Pray in droplets all day long. God doesn't care how the prayer bucket gets filled - just as long as we fill it! Want more Footprints? Beth has a blog! You can find it at http://footprintsinthemudblog@blogspot.com. And don't forget to share her blog with your friends!

Tatters to Treasures Where new beauty arises from the ashes of yesterday in reconstruction garments, shoes, and accessories www.tatterstotreasures.etsy.com 62

Let’s Taste Recipes from the Eastern Kitchen by Kausar Iqbal of East World Market studio Paneer is a fresh type of Eastern cheese famous for turning any boring dish into a tasty meal! It is often referred to as a cottage cheese. Palak (spinach) Paneer, Paneer Makhani (butter), Chilli Paneer, Mutter (peas) Paneer, Paneer Butter Masala, Shahi Paneer, Paneer Jalfrezi and Saag Paneer are just a few of the many dishes that can be made with Paneer. If you are making a curry, remember to press the cheese under weights firmly so that you can cube it without it falling apart. You can also crumble fresh Paneer and use it in samosas, spring rolls, shammi kebabs, kofta (meat balls) and lots of other tasty things , including desserts. If you don’t want to use your Paneer straight away, you can refrigerate it for up to a week (wrapped up well) or in the freezer for a couple of months.

How to make Paneer at Home Ingredients 6 pints or 116 fl. oz. full fat milk ¾ cup (220ml) lemon juice (Makes 3 cups) Directions In a large, non stick saucepan heat the milk on a very low heat until boiling. Note: Heating the milk on a high flame will almost certainly burn the entire bottom of your pan. I find that rubbing the pan with a little oil before adding the milk (and using a non-stick pan) reduces the risk of burning the cookware. Stir the milk often to keep it from settling at the bottom of your pan. If, by chance it does settle and burn, do not scrape the burnt gunk off; it will ruin your cheese. Place clean cheesecloth in a colander and put the whole thing in an empty sink. When your milk is boiling, add the lemon juice and briefly stir. Leave it for a couple of minutes until all of the curds separate from the whey. Tip the contents of the pan into the cheesecloth over the colander. You could save the whey to curdle your milk next time you make Paneer. It will keep in the fridge for months. Give the curds a good rinse under the cold tap to rid it of any excess acidity. Pick up the cheesecloth and squeeze out most of the water. Be careful, it can be very hot. Place a plate or bowl under your colander (to catch the whey) and place lots of weight on it (with the cheesecloth on) for at least an hour for a crumbly Paneer, or longer for a firm Paneer. Sometimes I also soak the block of cheese in chilled water for 2-3 hours. (This is optional, as this way it improves appearance and texture.) Unwrap and enjoy your fresh, homemade cheese. Crumble it, cube it and create with it.

Butter Paneer Masala Ingredients 3 cups Paneer, cubed. 2 cups liquidized tomatoes 2 tbsp concentrated tomato puree 3 tbsp butter 1 cup double cream 1 tbsp coriander seed powder 2 tbsp garam Masala (all spices) 2 tsp ginger, minced 1 tbsp garlic, minced ½ tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) optional 2-4 hot green chillies, minced (or to taste) ½ tsp cumin seed powder 2 tsp sugar Salt to taste Directions 1. In a bowl, whisk together the tomatoes puree, coriander seed powder, cumin seed powder, garam masala, green chillies and sugar. 2. Heat the butter in a large pan and add the garlic, ginger, chillies and tomato puree. Cook this out on a medium heat for a few minutes. Add the tomato and spice mixture. Bring to a boil, stir and cover with a lid. Turn the heat down to low and boil with the lid on for around 10-15 minutes. 3. Uncover, add the cream, and season the sauce with salt. Give this a good mix. (Optional: Rub the kasoori methi between your hands and add this to the sauce.) If you’re using homemade Paneer, add it straight in and if you’re using store-bought, grill the Paneer cubes on one side until golden and add them in while hot. Heat through. 4. Serve with Nan bread and basmati rice.

How to make bread (Nan) at home Ingredients 4 mugs of flour - (around 170 grams) 352 ml milk 1 tblsp yeast 1 and 1/2 tsp sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 3 tblsp ghee 3 tblsp yoghurt Directions Warm the milk to finger-bearable hot in a bowl, add 1 mug of the flour, add the yeast and sugar and pour the milk over it. Mix well with a fork and cover it and let it stand covered for at least 15 minutes. It should be frothy and puffed up after that time. Then, add the remaining flour, the ghee, 64

yoghurt, salt, baking powder and soda. If you have a processor, set the machine in motion and let the dough get made, otherwise, start mixing and kneading and get to that dough like consistency. The dough should feel soft and almost silky. If you think it’s too dry, just oil you hands with some oil and continue, never add water! Let the dough rise at least an hour and half. Punch it down and let it rise once more before using. Then tip it on the table and knead well if making plain naans, just form into balls and then flatten them into Nan shape (round) and bake, keeping the heat high and spraying the naans with water once/ twice in between. If making roghni or naans with filling, make a regular Ball 'pera', with ghee and roll out before you fill it with anything. Or you could just leave as is, spay with oil and bake. If you’re using the grill, turn it on once the bottom is baked. Switch the lower heat off and then turn on the grill to brown them from above. Some things to keep in mind: * the oven must be HOT when you put the bread in. Cold ovens kill yeast. * For simple naans, you must spray some water off and on otherwise they will not have that texture that a naan should have. * The pre-dough MUST stand for at least 15 mins * Don’t use the rolling pin too much. The best method is to flatten it a bit with the pin and then spread it out with your hands. This will keep the naans soft. *Once baked, cover them with a plastic bag/foil and a cloth on top. That will also keep them soft. * The dough, to rise, should be in a plastic bag or covered with foil. Don’t cover with a cloth, that takes the moisture away and yeast dough needs moist heat!

Be sure to visit 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. 65

Ruby Pearls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; June, 2012 June 1 is Doughnut Day! Look up a recipe in your cookbook and make something special for the entire family (and don't forget, you get to eat the mistakes!)

Everything I Really Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own messes. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt someone. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Learn. Draw. Paint. Sing. Dance. Play. Work hard every day. Take a nap every afternoon. Watch for traffic. Hold hands. Stick together no matter what. (Revised from original poem by Robert Fulghum) What a better world this would be if everyone followed these simple rules. If we all had cookies and milk and took a nap every afternoon. If every nation picked up after themselves and put things back the way they were before they used them. And no matter how old you are, it's always best to hold hands and stick together. 66

Sacred Truth In your smile I am born again, In your eyes All hopes and dreams return, In your love There is infinite peace. Such magic Comes but once, Such truth Is surely sacred. ~ Chris Roe .

All poems by Chris Roe in this issue of “Ruby for Women” are a selection from “In Search of Silence” a collection of 45 poems by Chris Roe. The poems take you on a personal journey in search of spiritual peace. Poems of Love, Hope and Peace. This collection of work is available online at www.silentflightpublications.co.uk 67

Logic Minesweeper Answer Key by Beth Brubaker

www.mamaslittletreasures.etsy.com 68

Just a Kid at Heart! by Christena Hammes I admit it, I love to color! My daughters are grown and on their own, but there are times I still like to sit down, especially when we are camping, and color. I found this link and wanted to share it for those of you that enjoy to color. Of course for those of you with children, share it with them!

Crayola Coloring Pages And hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my favorite one!

Cherries 69

Yummy Summer Cherries! Recipes from the kitchen of Christena Hammes We have been blessed with a cherry tree that provides an abundance of cherries each year. This is a recipe we use every year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; enjoy!

Cherry Freezer Jam 2 lbs. Bing cherries 4 1/2 c. sugar 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1 box pectin 3/4 c. water Wash, pit and chop cherries. Measure 2 cups of fruit and place in large bowl. Stir in lemon juice and sugar, and mix well. Combine pectin and water in pan. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir into fruit mixture and stir for 3 minutes. Quickly ladle into hot, sterile jars and cover at once with tight lids. Keep at room temperature for 24 hours. Then store in freezer, or refrigerate and use within 3 weeks. Makes 3 pints. Recipe can be found at Cherry Freezer Jam

Cherry Cobbler This is a recipe I hope to try this year. I love having individual servings. "Simple and sweet, this cobbler will garner raves. Cherries simply go in the bottom of the pan along with some baking powder dough and sugary cornstarch syrup. Then altogether they bake up sweet, bubbly and delicious. Serve it warm with whipped cream."

INGREDIENTS: * 3 tablespoons butter, melted * 1 cup all-purpose flour * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1 teaspoon baking powder * 1/2 cup milk * 1 cup white sugar * 1 tablespoon cornstarch * 1 cup boiling water * 3 1/2 cups fresh cherries, pitted * 3/4 cup white sugar

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix 3/4 cup sugar, butter or margarine, flour, salt, baking powder, and milk together. Place cherries in the bottom of a 9 inch square pan. Spread dough over cherries. 2. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup sugar and cornstarch. Stir in boiling water. Pour mixture over the dough. 3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Serve warm. Servings: 8 Recipe can be found at Cherry Cobbler 70

Connect the Letters Word Puzzle Answer Key by Beth Brubaker

You are invited to join us every week for

Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity for you to connect with other women who share your passion for creativity and inspiration! Please join www.cicinspireme.com us for Inspire Me Monday Hope for Entrepreneurs Suffering from Impostor Syndrome 71

Hope for Entrepreneurs Suffering from Impostor Syndrome by Theresa Ceniccola The Christian Mompreneur Ever feel like you’re not as smart or competent as you should be? Like you’re not qualified to do the work you are doing? Not experienced enough? Like everyone else has better credentials or more education? Do you sometimes fear that any minute, someone will “pull the curtain” aside to reveal your weaknesses? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs – men and women alike – suffer from what’s commonly called Impostor Syndrome. In fact, it’s one of the things my clients talk about frequently (but only in private!). Impostor syndrome is a very real phenomenon, which was identified in 1978 through research by psychotherapists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes who found that many women with notable achievements also had high levels of self doubt. Since then, many studies have confirmed their findings. You can probably relate to symptoms of Imposter Syndrome if you have ever: * Been plagued by feelings of inadequacy and chronic self-doubt (“Who would want to read my blog anyway?”); * Worried about being revealed as a fake or a fraud in your profession (“If they only knew I don’t have a master’s degree…”); * Felt inferior compared to others in your field (“Why would they ask ME to speak when there are so many other choices?”); * Dismissed your own achievements as being the result of good luck (“Well the only reason I had such as successful year was because of that one contract, which will probably never happen again.); * Set low expectations for yourself to avoid failure (“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best).

Does that sound like someone you know? Take heart – there is hope for those of us who suffer from imposter syndrome. Many women – including entrepreneurs and ministry leaders – have found relief in simply knowing they are in good company. In her book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, Valerie Young shares decades of research and outlines practical ways to banish fraud fears and so you can feel (and act) as bright and capable as you truly are. Here a few tips for the Christian Mompreneur on how to cure Impostor Syndrome: 1. Know that it’s ok to have self doubt every once in a while. You don’t have to feel 100% confident in everything you do, every single time. 2. Share your feelings. Find a support group of friends or mastermind group of colleagues who love you for who you are and let them know how you feel. Accept their support. 3. Keep a Kudos Journal. Collect cards, emails and other words of praise and thanks in a memory box or journal. Read through them when you need a boost of confidence. 4. Write it out. Make a daily habit of writing down three great things you did each day. Three things that make you feel like a success – in whatever way you define success. 5. Decide to be ___________. Every day you get to choose how you show up in the world. Will you show up as kind? Confident? Gracious? Brilliant? Generous? Competent? Inspirational? Patient? You get to choose. Take a minute each morning and set the intention to be the kind of person you want to be that day. Then rise to the occasion. And when you really need a boost, read the following little reminder and smile… because you are uniquely and wonderfully made…for a purpose…and you have everything you need to follow God’s plan. The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember... Noah was a drunk Abraham was too old Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar Leah was ugly Joseph was abused Moses had a stuttering problem Gideon was afraid Samson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute 73

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young David had an affair and was a murderer Elijah was suicidal Isaiah preached naked Jonah ran from God Naomi was a widow Job went bankrupt John the Baptist ate bugs Peter denied Christ The Disciples fell asleep while praying Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once Zaccheus was too small Paul was too religious Timothy had an ulcer...AND Lazarus was dead! - Author Unknown How do you deal with feelings of fraud? Share your tips for beating impostor syndrome with us!

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 74

Cross and Crown Quilt Block Block #9 for the Bible Block Wedding Sampler Sew-Along by Laura Brandt There is a song written by Helen Baylor and recorded by the Isaacs called “Another Soldier Down.” It’s a song about the spiritual warfare God’s children are in and part of the lyric says “the fight before the victory; the cross before the crown.” That song comes to mind when I think of this block. The greatest blessings come with the highest cost and knowing the victory has already been won is an encouragement when the Enemy starts kicking up dust. This block’s construction is very similar to the Walls of Jericho block. Please note: all seams are ¼”; final block is 12.5” unfinished. Step 1 – cut your fabric. I used the templates rather than the rotary cutting instructions this time. The key to accurate piecing with templates is cutting the templates very carefully. I find it easier to cut the fabric accurately if I put tape on the back of each template, stick it to my fabric and carefully cut around it with my rotary cutter. From Fabric 1, cut one Template A square, eight Template B triangles and four Template D triangles. From Fabric 2, cut four Template A squares and eight Template B triangles and from Fabric 3, cut four Template C rectangles.

Step 2 – With right sides together, sew your eight Template B Fabric 1 triangles to your eight Template B Fabric 2 triangles to make your larger “crown” triangle units. Pay particular attention to the positioning of each fabric’s pieces: you’ll need to sew four Fabric 2 templates to four Fabric 1 templates (Fabric 2 on the left, Fabric 1 on the right) and the other four Fabric 1 templates to the remaining four Fabric 2 templates (Fabric 1 on the left, Fabric 2 on the right).

Press your eight resulting Template B combination units.

Step 3 – take one Template A Fabric 2 square and position one Column 1 unit to one side of it and one column 2 unit to the other side of it, as shown.

Sew and press your seams. This will give you a larger triangle the same size as Template D:

Step 4 – repeat Step 3, sewing a Template B combination unit from each of Column 1 and Column 2 to their respective edges of your remaining three Template A Fabric 2 squares. Press seams. You should now have four larger (Template D sized) triangles.

Step 5 – with right sides together, sew a Template D Fabric 1 triangle to each of the larger triangles you just made. Press seams and you’ve just completed four 5 ½” squares: From here it’s smooth sailing!

Step 6 - With right sides together, sew a Template C Fabric 3 rectangle to each side of the Template A Fabric 1 centre square. Press seams. You should now have a 12.5” sashing strip.

Step 7 - With right sides together, sew one of the two remaining 5 ½“ Template C Fabric 3 rectangles to the edge of one of the 5 ½ “ squares. Make sure you follow the diagram. Press seam.

Step 8 - With right sides together, sew a second 5 ½” square to the other side of the Template C Fabric 3 rectangle. Make sure you follow the diagram. Press seam. You have now completed half of the block.

Step 9 - Repeat steps 7 and 8 to sew the remaining 5 ½” Template C rectangle to the remaining 5 ½” squares.

Step 10 - sew the 12 ½” sashing strip to the bottom section. Be sure to align your seams with the centre.

Step 11 - sew the top section to the 12 ½” sashing strip, also being careful to align seams. Press block. You are done!

Wentworth County Quiltworks Bible quilt updates and a growing Bible Block-of-the-Month collection Visit Laura and follow along as she creates her Bible Block-of-the-Month Collection! www.wentworthcountyquiltworks.com 79

The Ruby for Women community is a great place to meet new friends, share prayer requests, chat about your favorite books, recipes and crafts! Summer is the perfect time to try out a few yummy new recipes! Here in the Kitchen of Ruby for Women we will be posting new recipes weekly and we would love to have you share some of your favorite recipes with us, too!

Summer is also a great time to support one another in pursuing our dreams and goals of building our online businesses. Please post your website or online business banner or logo in the Ruby Shopkeepers group so we can share your information with all of the members of the Ruby for Women community.

Do you have a blog? We would love to have you share links to your latest blog posts so that we can tell all of the members of the Ruby for Women community all about it! Please visit us in our Girls Who Blog group.

In our prayer request group, we pray for one another and uphold each other before our Heavenly Father. Please join us at We Are Praying for You and let us know how we can pray for you.

www.shannonmedisky.com

Visit Charlotte Siems at

This Lovely Place

4 Secrets for Keeping Your Home Together When You Feel Like You're Falling Apart www.charlottesiems.com/thislovelyplace/rub y

www.cicinspireme.com 81

A Garden of Love by Thomas B. Clarke www.agardenoflove.com Join author and seasoned gardener Tom Clarke as he artistically describes the natural beauty of flowers and the multi-faceted dimensions of love. Please visit A Garden of Love to order your copy of this beautiful and inspirational book: www.agardenoflove.com

Thomas B. Clarke, “A Garden of Love” I am the caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden in Syracuse, NY, and an author / publisher of Christian books. Both gardening and writing are part-time jobs for me, but they are my heartfelt passion: to help others experience Jesus Christ in a more personal way and to grow in love. www.agardenoflove.com

Mission Possible by Deborah McCarragher Deborah began her journey of creative writing soon after coming to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in 1989. She uses her spiritual gifts of encouragement and teaching in her home church. She is also a small business owner of over twenty years. Her primary goal is to share her personal testimony with others while bringing hope and practical help through her book. She and her husband have one married son serving in the US Military. They reside in north Florida. Mission Possible is a unique book in the Christian marketplace. It addresses a subject that is often overlooked and misunderstood. It is a candid look at my struggles and quest to reach my husband for Christ. It applies Scripture and biblical principles to everyday struggles encountered within a spiritually mismatched marriage. Mission Possible won the 2010 Readers Favorite Gold Seal Award for best Christian Non-Fiction book, and was nominated for the Christian Small Publisher’s Assoc. Book of the Year Award in 2009. http://www.Twitter.com/unequalmarriage http://www.Facebook.com/Godmissionpossible http://www.Godmissionpossible.blogspot.com 82

The Happy Housewife This classic best seller from Elizabeth is humorous, honest, Bible based and totally compelling. The book will guide you through the joys and traumas of dealing with kids, husbands, and dirty dishes while adding a dose of laughter and tears as her practical advice provides realistic solutions to problems that never change. Kindle e-book $4.95

Spiritual Trail Mix by Elizabeth Baker Spiritual Trail Mix by Elizabeth Baker is the perfect companion for modern life on the go. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a moment of down time before sleep or an interlude of laughter while waiting in line, these stories will give a fresh reason to face the day with a positive attitude. From romance to humor to drama, the variety will be refreshing and the spiritual nourishment a boost to keep you going with a smile. Like a quick call from a friend or an unexpected breeze on a summer day, these 30 stories provide a moment of refreshment without weighing you down. And, best of all, every story can be read in ten minutes or less You have enjoyed Elizabethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories in Ruby for Women, now download her e-book free as a member of Amazon Prime, or purchase for $3.99 from Amazon. E-book can be purchased formatted for other readers at www.ElizabethBakerBooks.com

Visit Charlotte Siems of

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Lovely Placeâ&#x20AC;? where you will find words of inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement for your journey as a homemaker. www.charlottesiems.com/thislovelyplace

www.katherinescorner.com

www.vintageimagecraft.com 84

This Space is For Sale! If you would like to advertise in an upcoming issue of Ruby for Women, please email amorris@rubyforwomen.com for all the details

You are invited to join Katherine’s Corner Book Club At Katherine’s Corner you connect with other book lovers and share a new story every month! Every month Katie will post a new book list and you get to vote for your favorite. Then, together we will read the selected book and discuss it via the Book Club page at Katherine’s Corner blog. Once a month a new book will be chosen and you can leave comments on the Book Club page throughout the month. A new book vote will be posted on the 15th of every month. The Book Club at Katherine’s Corner is a “no obligation” book club! Just read the book with the other members of the club and share your thoughts with one another. Settle in, read along, and leave comments on the book whenever the mood strikes you. Once a month is all the commitment needed. The fun part is that you can make comments throughout the month so you don’t have to keep your thoughts on the book silent until a specific meeting date. If you would like to join the Book Club at Katherine’s Corner, simply visit Katie at www.katherinescorner.com and sign up! Then, if you wan to help promote the book club, you can grab the button code to paste into your blog sidebar. You can find the code and all of the details at Katherine’s Corner.

Abundant Comfort and Grace Inspirational Poetry by Connie Arnold www.conniearnold.blogspot.com

www.theresaceniccola.com

Gossamer Wings Publications Bringing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts of creativity and vision together in beautiful works of artistry, spirituality, and inspiration gossamerwingspublishing@hotmail.com

Introducing the Ruby for Women Administrative Team Over the past two 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 Angela Morris, Advertising Assistant Affiliate Administrator and Pastor at Ruby for Women, Carol Mokry Creative Consultant and Graphic Designer, Katherine Corrigan

To order â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Recipe Boxâ&#x20AC;? by Morgan Von Gunten, visit her website at iWoman Magazine http://iwomanmag.com/recipes

Rebecca Evans Illustration Children’s illustration art, quality archival prints of original watercolor paintings. The perfect, unique addition to any home décor or child’s room. Distinct from retail prints and designs, these printings offer individual style and character to any room. Each painting tells a story inspiring imagination and sparkling childlike wonder. Visit Rebecca Evans at her Etsy shop, Rebecca Evans Illustration http://www.etsy.com/shop/RebeccaEvans

Discovery Discovery House Publishers Feeding the Soul with the Word of God

Visit Discovery House Publishers at www.dhp.org

www.nacwe.org

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.

Scott Henderson, Vintage Image Crafts Scott is the creator of Vintage Image Crafts, a website where vintage images are the inspiration behind all of the crafts and scrapbooking projects. From the romantic to the whimsical, Victorian and turn-ofthe-century illustrations can give your creativity a distinctive touch. These classic illustrations and photographs are rich in color, artistic technique and symbolism. This bygone art captures the essence of life’s highlights - holidays, celebrations and sentiments – vividly. You can find Scott at www.vintageimagecrafts.com

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 upand-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

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, Heading Home www.lynnmosher.blogspot.com

Carol Mokry, Affiliate Administrator, Ruby for Women

“Jesus found me 37 years ago and we have been walking together ever since. He has been my help, hope and strength as I have walked through dark miles of trials and adversity. First and foremost I am a woman called to follow Jesus Christ. I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God. It is my relationship with God that has made me who I am today. In all these things I can say if God is for me who can be against me, I am more than a conqueror in Him who loves me!”

Lee E. Shilo, Poetry and Short Stories I live on Vancouver Island, in Victoria, Canada, with my loving wife Elisabeth, paranoid cat, and crazy dog. I enjoy writing Poetry, Children Stories, Fantasy/Fiction, and especially (Believe It Or Not) stories. I have been writing professionally for close to 20 years, and have numerous Published Books / eBooks in that time. At present I am retired, but used to work in the print industry producing Wide Format Displays for Conferences and stuff. As well as being my passion, writing affords me some release of daily frustrations and everyday tensions. www.shilocom.com 90

Katherine Corrigan, Recipes and Crafts Hello, my name is Katherine. I am an open minded and spiritual person who strives to always maintain a positive attitude and greet each new day with grace, dignity and gratitude. I’m honored to meet you and to call you friend! I am originally from England and now living in the US. I have had the privilege of living in, and visiting, several different countries throughout my lifetime. I hold a rare dual citizenship with the UK and the USA, and I am a proud citizen of both. I work very hard to create designs for my shops and to provide an entertaining and informative website and blog. I hope you’ll stop by. Hugs, Katherine www.madeitforyou.com www.katherinescorner.com www.keepsakesbykatherine.etsy.com

Chris Roe, Poetry::

Chris was born in the rural county of Norfolk, England in 1948, where he has lived and worked for much of his life. Most of his working career has been spent in the agricultural industry. His love of nature, the countryside and the time spent within the agricultural industry is very much reflected in most of his writing. You can order “In Search of Silence,” a book of poetry by Chris at Silent Flight Publications: http://www.silentflightpublications.co.uk/pages/In-Search_of_SilenceInfo.html

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

Amy Harper, Craft Contributor

is a pastor's wife from West Virginia and mother of two AWESOME kids. (She says she isn't biased.) She currently writes book reviews for a small local paper, and teaches piano lessons in her community. Her blog, www.Threadsinthenest.blogspot.com combines her passion for Jesus Christ with her other loves -- books, vintage items, and sewing. Visit Amy at her blog, “Threads in the Nest” for daily inspirational posts and craft tutorials. 91

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

Sheila Watson, Kraklow, 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

Jean Ann Williams I became a Christian when I was 19. Beginning at age ten, I've had many losses in my life, but the most sorrowful loss was that of my son Joshua when he was 25. I clung to Christ and saw the blessings through my grief. That one fact has kept me here on earth. I see that God has a plan for my life and I am a daughter of a King. Please visit Jean at her blog, “Love, Truth, Hope after Suicide”

Kendra Peterson, Children’s Book Reviews

has been married to Brad for 21 years. They attend Big Lake Church of God, and they have twin daughters, Rachel and Allissa, who are age 19 and in college. Kendra is a librarian at West Noble Primary School in Ligonier, Indiana for grades K-1. She loves reading to children and helping them learn to read with great books. In her spare time, she loves to camp and ride their Gold Wing around the countryside, and she loves spending time with family.

Taylor Gilmore: I am a Christian, Work-at-Home-Mother of a 9 year old adopted daughter. I am also a freelance writer and blogger, living in Philadelphia. I believe I have a duty to figure out how to apply Biblical principles to everyday life and share what I learn with others because I believe that is what I was called to do. Please visit me at my personal page in the Ruby for Women community. 92

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.

Charlotte Siems is a home-maker, home manager, T-Tapp Trainer, teacher, speaker and author. Her story of losing over 100 pounds with T-Tapp has encouraged thousands of people all over the world. She specializes in making home management and T-Tapp "doable" for real people and real life. She is happy to be a wife and mother of twelve children whom she has successfully taught at home for 25 years. Visit Charlotte and read more of her blog posts at www.charlottesiems.com

Shannon Medisky, an educator turned parent turned writer, Shannon Medisky enjoys sharing ways that kids can help themselves. Through entertaining and accessible presentations, stories and activities, Shannon engages and empowers kids to take the leading role in writing their own school—and ultimately life—success stories. Through a relatable tone and immediately applicable ideas, she enables parents to help their children become the very best they can be. Shannon has experience working with children ranging in age from preschool through the 8th grade, and is a parent herself to two young boys, including one with a multitude of special needs. Shannon earned a double BA in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Central Washington University, but credits her children—biologically, via adoption and in the classroom—as her greatest educators. Her articles have been featured in many prominent magazines such as Exceptional Parents, Adoptive Families, Hybrid Mom, Mothering and Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family. She lives in Renton, Washington with her husband, Jason, and their two high-spirited boys, Nate and Mark. www.shannonmedisky.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

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 a 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.

Amanda Johnson, Assistant Editor Amanda has been writing for Ruby for Women for the past year, and she has been a free-lance writer for several years, beginning her writing career as a young teen-ager. She also works 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 from my home office. For the past six years I have been designing and creating children’s clothing and various crafts. I began writing ebook patterns for my designs in 2007, and have several patterns available for sale on You Can Make This at www.youcanmakethis.com . I have also been a free-lance writer for many years, writing for two local newspapers when we lived in Michigan. 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.

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 Angela Morris at amorris@rubyforwomen.com Web Design and 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. Special thanks to Scott and Martin of Vintage Image Craft for sharing their amazing craft ideas with the Ruby for Women community!