Ruby for Women, December, 2012

Ruby for Women a voice for every Christian woman December, 2012

Ruby for Women

A voice for every Christian woman November, 2012

Special Christmas Issue!

“ . . . .her worth is far above rubies.” “. . . . her worth is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31:1031:10 Proverbs

Contents December, 2012 www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

December has finally arrived! Young and old alike are filled with the joy and wonder of the Christmas holiday, and here at Ruby for Women we have brought together a wonderful collection of stories, articles, recipes, crafts, and poetry to inspire you this holiday season.

We also would like to invite you to visit us in our community of Christian women for fun, friendship, conversation, encouragement, inspiration, and prayer support. Won’t you join us soon? www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

In This Issue . . .

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Title

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Being Martha Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

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Be Overjoyed by Jesus this Christmas!

Amanda Johnson, Asst. Editor

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Did You Know . . .

A Brief History of Gingerbread

9

Advent (Deep Calls to Deep) Keith Wallis

10

The Star Shone Keith Wallis

11

When Wise, Men Come to Bethlehem Lynn Mosher

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Holiday Crafts from around the Blogosphere Christena Hammes

15

The Good Thing about Criticism Theresa Ceniccola

17

A Question at Christmas Sharon L. Patterson

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It is . . . .

Sharon L. Patterson

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Mom Guilt Heather King

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Carrot Cake Recipe Richetta Blackmon

23

How to Discover Your God-Given Purpose from the Inside Out Yvonne Carson

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

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Ruby for Women is an online Christian women’s magazine that offers words of hope, inspiration, and encouragement to women everywhere. Knowing that every woman has a story to tell, we seek to give a “voice to every Christian woman,” from all walks of life, of every age, from all around the world.

For advertising inquiries, please contact Nina Newton at editor@rubyforwomen.com If you would like to share your story with Ruby for Women, please email our Assistant Editor, Amanda Johnson, at ajohnson@rubyforwomen.com Also, please visit our community website at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com where you can connect with other Christian women.

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

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Title

Page

Title

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Candy Cane Cookies Christena Hammes

51

The Last Gift Sharon L. Patterson

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The Winter Season Dorothy Kurchak

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Hello, We’re the Fuzzwippers

by Marilynn Halas Review by Sarah Johnson

Page 28

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Inviting Them Home Daphne Tarango

55

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Content with One Gift Gloria Doty

Christmas Tree Memories Gloria Doty

57

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Holiday Crafts from Around the Blogosphere Vintage Mama

Children of Israel Quilt Block #15 Laura Brandt

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Wacky Words Word Puzzle Beth Brubaker

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Page 54

Page 57

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Hitori Number Puzzle Beth Brubaker

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Footprints in the Mud Beth Brubaker

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The Best Laid Plans Gloria Doty

65

Gingerbread House Winter Village Craft Tutorial Vintage Mama

33

Gingerbread Crunch Coffeecake Sheila Watson

69

Santa’s Gifts versus God’s Grace Heather King

34

Holiday Thumbprint Cookies Christena Hammes

73

Candy Cane Fudge Vintage Mama

35

Do You Hate the Christmas Season?

Corallie Buchanan

75

Christmas is More Than . . .

Sharon L. Patterson

77

Aunt Ellen’s Christmas Caramels Vintage Mama

81

More Family Favorite Holiday Recipes Lynn Mosher

84

Page 73 Vintage Paper Dolls from the collection of Vintage Mama

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Hand-Embellished Christmas Ornaments Lynn Mosher

87

Gingerbread House Pattern Templates Vintage Mama

90

Hitori Number Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

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Ring the Bell Keith Wallis

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The Weaver’s Poem Author Unknown

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“Pawpaw’s Rich” Sharon L. Patterson

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On a Quest for Christ

by Lisa Are Wulf Review by Daphne Tarango

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Page 44

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Ask Beth Beth Brubaker

44

Shimmering Button Wreath Ornaments

45 46 47 50

Page 45

Winter Snow Fudge Amanda Stephan Candy Cane Bark Katherine Corrigan Tickets for the Show Heather King

Page 46

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Wacky Wordies Word Puzzle Answer Key Beth Brubaker

96

Ruby for Women Community

98

Meet the Ruby Writers

105

Credits and Copyrights

Page 65

Page 77

Page 86

The Greatest Gift Debra Elliott 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

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Make 8 different miniature Christmas trees with the tutorials available from About.com www.about.com/miniatures

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Being Martha

by Nina Newton, Sr. Editor

Sometimes I get confused. I suppose that isn’t too hard to believe, because I almost always have way too much going on in my brain. Many days I am in serious brain overload, and in the midst of that chaotic fog of remembering homework, answering emails, making decisions about everything from lunch money and gym shoes, to dental bills and dr. appointments, I forget to return the library books on time. I apologize for all my faux pas while just trying to get through a day!

I suspect, however, that I am not alone in this struggle to keep all the “plates” spinning, every day, all day long, and make sure that not one of them slips to the floor and shatters into a million pieces. We are all busy . . . . most of the time many of us are just way TOO busy. But what’s a mama to do?

All of that reminds me daily of one other thing that I have found a bit confusing for many years. It has been my experience that those of us who seek desperately to honor God with our lives, and who daily search for God’s guidance in ministering to others, are reminded (at least once a year) of the virtue of being that proverbial “Proverbs 31 woman.”

You know, the one who searches for the best wool to spin into yarn so she can make clothing (and probably socks) for her family (and probably all of her servant girls, too). She’s the lady who more than likely clips coupons so she can drive from store to store shopping for all the best deals in town, and to do that, of course, she gets up at the crack of dawn (wait, it’s still dark here this morning . . . can I go back to bed for a little snooze before it is time to get the kids up for school?).

Well, and the reason she has to get up so early is to cook breakfast for her family (and her “servant girls”?) before she flies out the door to meet with her real estate agent to check out the property

on the other side of town before she buys it with extra money she has earned (doing all that other stuff), so she can plant a garden.

This is the woman who apparently goes to the gym at least three or four times a week, because she really has strong arms. She is definitely one whose work ethic is to be applauded for she works all night long to make sure that her business is profitable (hmmmm . . . . if her lamp does not go out at night, how can she get up early? I guess I’ll try to figure that one out another day!).

This girl spins her own thread and sews her own clothes (and all of the clothing for her family AND her servant girls), and in her spare time she works at the soup kitchen in town once a week. She bakes cookies and takes a casserole to her neighbors who are in need, all while watching carefully to see that her children are dressed in the latest fashions.

While she is stitching up all those beautiful garments for her children et al, she manages to squeeze in time to make a purple bed covering (and probably matching pillow cases and curtains), and then before you know it, she has whipped up a brand-new outfit for herself.

Which, of course, she will need for the upcoming holiday dinner at the city gate. Because she absolutely must make a good impression on all the others who will be there; she wouldn’t want her husband to be embarrassed by her presence.

As she finishes the last stitch on her new outfit, she remembers that the local merchants are expecting her to deliver an order for 100 new linen garments . . . by Friday and it is already Tuesday. Oops, don’t forget the sashes that go with all those linen thingies!

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This is the woman who is always happy, spreading joy to all she meets; she never forgets to go to the women’s Bible study class on Wednesday morning . . . .after all, she is the teacher, so it is her responsibility to speak with wisdom and faithful instruction.

This is one busy lady! No wonder she can’t find time to sleep – she watches over the affairs of her household, and she does not eat the bread of idleness. Whew! I’m amazed at all she accomplishes in a day. But the reward makes it all worth it. Her children arise and call her blessed, and her husband praises her. It’s all in a day’s work, I guess, for this busy woman.

So, why am I confused? Well, because then once I think I just about have this “Proverbs 31” woman thing figured out (really?), I fly out the door on a Sunday morning (to teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, and then scoot on into the nursery to take care of the babies and toddlers so the young mamas can listen to the sermon in peace), and while rocking a screaming baby and keeping a toddler from eating the wad of toilet tissue that looks like a marshmallow, I manage to hear snippets of the morning’s sermon.

And that’s when I wonder how I could have gotten it so wrong for so long. Somehow, in the midst of all the flurry of “Martha” activities like feeding my kids, washing the dirty dishes and doing the laundry, I have forgotten that Mary “had chosen what is better.”

While Martha was bustling around making sure there were enough appetizers for everyone at the party, rushing back and forth filling glasses with water (or wine?), and pulling the pizza rolls out of the oven before they burned, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. Sitting. And apparently not feeling guilty. Why can’t I find some of that guilt-free sitting time?

To add a bit of insult to injury, Martha was then gently reminded by Jesus to “Cool it, kid! Sit down and take a break.” Really? Is that how it works? Then who is going to do all that “Proverbs 31” stuff? Apparently I need to figure out a way to do all that virtuous woman business while sitting at the feet of Jesus.

It is always a good reminder, especially at this time of year, that we need (really need!) to slow down, take a break, and spend some time at the feet of Jesus. I know that we all feel pulled and pressured, stressed and anxious over all of the extra stuff we have to do around the holiday season.

I mean, after all, just because there’s a holiday in a particular month does not mean that God automatically gives us extra hours (and our paychecks do not automatically increase!) to accommodate all the added tasks, responsibilities, and expenses.

So, somewhere in the midst of all the busyness of our days, and along our journey towards becoming that virtuous “Proverbs 31” woman, we need to figure out how to add one more thing to our “To Do” list . . . . sit quietly at the feet of Jesus.

How to do it? I have no clue! I guess we just have to give it our best shot, ask God for guidance and pray that we figure out how to sit quietly for more than 30 seconds without feeling guilty – and maybe someone else will feel inspired to spin the wool and knit those socks, buy a field, plant a garden, and clip coupons and wash the dirty clothes.

All those things are good, but we just might get lost in the Jungle of Too-Busy if we aren’t careful.

Come on out of that jungle and catch your breath while you listen to the words of our Lord. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about anyway?

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Be Overjoyed by Jesus this Christmas!

by Amanda Johnson In the book of Matthew we find a portion of the Christmas story where the Magi or Wise Men follow a bright star across many lands in search of the Christ Child.

They must have surely been overjoyed by the Savior’s arrival; after all, they traveled for many months to reach Jesus.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2).

Matthew 2:11 says “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary.”

These wise and wealthy men traveled from the Far East seeking a King they had only read about in scripture and prophecies of old. Versed in the wonders and signs of the stars, the men recognized the bright star as the Star of David – “his star.”

After finally seeing Jesus for the first time, the wise men didn’t complain about their journey or seek rest from their travels. Instead, they immediately “bowed down and worshiped him.

Without a moment to lose, they gathered their most precious treasures and began a journey to a destination that was not exactly known to them.

I can’t help but wonder what it was like for them to see the star for the first time. Did they realize it was “his star” right away or did they question what they saw?

Did they contemplate what to do next or were their bags already packed and waiting by the door?

Not only was Jesus in a house (not a stable), but some translations suggest he was sitting in his mother’s lap indicating he might have been several months if not a couple of years old.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with “gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

How do we feel about Christmas? Are we overjoyed by Jesus and the wonderful truth that Christmas was only part of God’s overall plan of redemption for us?

Are we watching and waiting eagerly for the return of our Savior as the Wise Men watched eagerly for His first arrival?

Let the eagerness of the Wise Men be a reminder of the true gift of the season. Be blessed this Christmas and be overjoyed by Jesus!

I’m guessing they were waiting with a watchful eye knowing that the time for the Savior’s entrance into the world was drawing near.

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Did you know . . . .

A Brief History of Gingerbread Gingerbread has been baked in Europe for centuries. In some places, it was a soft, delicately spiced cake; in others, a crisp, flat cookie, and in others, warm, thick, steamy-dark squares of "bread," sometimes served with a pitcher of lemon sauce or whipped cream. It was sometimes light, sometimes dark, sometimes sweet, sometimes spicy, but it was almost always cut into shapes such as men, women, stars or animals, and colorfully decorated or stamped with a mold and dusted with white sugar to make the impression visible.

The manufacture of gingerbread appears to have spread throughout Western Europe at the end of the eleventh century, possibly introduced by crusaders returning from wars in the Eastern Mediterranean.

From its very beginning gingerbread has been a fairground delicacy. Many fairs became known as "gingerbread fairs" and gingerbread items took on the alternative name in England of "fairings" which had the generic meaning of a gift given at, or brought from, a fair. Certain shapes were associated with different seasons: buttons and flowers were found at Easter fairs, and animals and birds were a feature in autumn. There is also more than one village tradition in England requiring unmarried women to eat gingerbread "husbands" at the fair if they are to stand a good chance of meeting a real husband.

During the nineteenth century, gingerbread was both modernized and romanticized. When the Grimm brothers collected volumes of German fairy tales they found one about Hansel and Gretel, two children who, abandoned in the woods by destitute parents, discovered a house made of bread, cake and candies. By the end of the century the composer Englebert Humperdink wrote an opera about the boy and the girl and the gingerbread house.

At Christmas, gingerbread makes its most impressive appearance. The German practice of making lebkuchen houses never caught on in Britain in the same way as it did in North America, and it is here still that the most extraordinary creations are found. Elaborate Victorian houses, heavy with candies and sugar icicles, vie in competition with the Hansel and Gretel houses, more richly decorated and ornamented than most children could imagine in their wildest dreams.

Gingerbread making in North America has its origins in the traditions of the many settlers from all parts of Northern Europe who brought with them family recipes and customs. By the nineteenth century, America had been baking gingerbread for decades.

American recipes usually called for fewer spices than their European counterparts, but often made use of ingredients that were only available regionally. Maple syrup gingerbreads were made in New England, and in the South sorghum molasses was used.

Nowhere in the world is there a greater repertoire of gingerbread recipes than in America —there are so many variations in taste, form and presentation. With the rich choice of ingredients, baking aids and decorative items the imaginative cook can create the most spectacular gingerbread houses and centerpieces ever!

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Advent (Deep Calls to Deep) Deep calls to deep the imprint of God upon the ghost of spirit, a watermark in virgin paper, a tincture of a whisper from creation’s nativity.

We too bring gifts to the child – the twisted gold tinsel crown for a king, fragrant candle for a deity, the romantic fairytale an antiseptic for reality.

This is a death and entrance, a lower case alpha and omega, the bracketed phrase in the sentence of eternity.

This is no stable mucked out and sterile but God among the droppings of mankind.

by Keith Wallis

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The Star Shone (on a Nativity play at a school for kids with special needs) The star shone.

Angels came, their singing inspired.

The stable backdrop was all that was still within excited fidget.

For though these angels have runny noses and fly only in their dreams, their place beside the manger has been ordained.

Shepherds, shepherded and straying, struggle in, bemused, eyes searching, not for God or promise, but for mum among the gathering.

Kings came, a multitude of stars light the way bright and sparkling from their eyes.

Mary cuddles the doll-child, joy written on her face, while ‘Joseph’ wondered why he was there as Josephs always do.

The ox and donkey, in wheel-chaired ballet, share the crowded moments.

This stable is not pristine and sanitised, does not adorn cards with cherub, saint or fable.

This is worship from hearts with broken bodies to break the hearts of the whole.

Note: that’s my grandson Connor in the picture doing the ‘star’ impression.

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When Wise, Men Come to Bethlehem

by Lynn Mosher

All the prophecies converged in one moment, for “the fullness of the time had come.” (Gal. 4:4 NKJV) So, a young, pregnant girl named Mary and her espoused young man, named Joseph, leave their home in Nazareth to travel to the homeland of their forefathers in Bethlehem to be enrolled according to their families for taxation.

Once in Bethlehem, they search diligently for a place to rest as the baby was about to be born.

Only an animal shelter is available because there is no room for them in the inn.

As a hush descends over the earth in the wee hours of darkness, the cries of a newborn pierce the gentle silence. Meanwhile, wondrous songs of praise by a host of angels saturate the skies over the fields tended by shepherds, filling the night air with the glory of God. During those dark hours, Christ comes.

In that humble place, to the gentle lowing of the cattle and the bleating of the sheep, Mary gives birth to the Saviour of the world. Swaddling Him lovingly, she places Him in a trough, and there, the miracle of the manger takes place.

The empty manger, the vessel cradling the tiny body of mankind’s salvation, is full - full of love, full of expectation, full of holiness, and full of humanity. It is an earthly visitation of the heavenly realm.

A divinely appointed star blazes triumphantly in the eastern sky, proclaiming, “This is the way to the Christ-child.” Its brilliance appears even in the distant land of the Orient.

Men, wise in astrology and the prophecies, set out from this land to seek the One upon Whom the star shines, the newborn King.

In time, the star leads the wise men right to the King’s front door. They come in expectation and great joy.

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matt. 2:11 NKJV) When the wise men come to Bethlehem, they come bearing gifts, first out of their hearts’ fullness, for they fall down to worship the Christ-child, and then, out of their treasure bags fullness of precious things, for they offer gifts of sacrifice.

When the wise men come to Bethlehem, they bring gold, one of the purest and most valuable of all metals. It serves to remind us of that which is of genuine worth and value, as it was lavishly used to cover the articles of the temple and the temple itself.

It reminds us, too, of the pure worth and value of Christ, and that He fashions our hearts into the pure gold for His temple, the home of His holiness and pureness.

When the wise men come to Bethlehem, they bring frankincense, a sweet, aromatic perfume, burned as incense, and, among other things, was an ingredient in the anointing oil.

It serves to show us the precious Holy Spirit, anointing us to be in the presence of the Father, as the incense mingles with the sweet-smelling sacrifice of prayer, rising to the throne room and lingering at the Father’s feet.

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“A divinely appointed star blazes triumphantly in the eastern sky, proclaiming, “This is the way to the Christ-child.” Its brilliance appears even in the distant land of the Orient.”

When the wise men come to Bethlehem, they bring myrrh, a fragrant, costly perfume, used in purification rites and for cleansing, also as an ingredient in the anointing oil, and used for preservation in death.

It represents the costly perfume of Christ as His blood purifies and cleanses us, preserving us in death.

Out of love, God gave. Out of love, Christ came.

Out of love, the wise men came and gave.

The wise men found Bethlehem and Bethlehem found its way into their hearts.

Where will Bethlehem find you? In the car sitting in snarling traffic, snarling back at it? On the way to Grandma’s house, Aunt Sophie’s, or Mom and Dad’s? On a plane, or a bus? Or perhaps at the mall, rushing to find that last minute gift? Will it really find you there?

Does it come rolling in with chariot wheels rumbling? Or does it come silently with a gentle whisper? Does it come in a season, or in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye?

Have you found Bethlehem? Have you knelt at the manger of the Christ-child? The only way you will find Bethlehem is when you remember to kneel in worship to the Christ Who loved you so much that He came in a tiny human form.

Do you bring the sacrificial gifts out of your heart’s treasury to the Christ-child? The purity of holiness?

The costly fragrance of continual prayer? A cleansed soul, preserved from eternal death?

Do you offer Him your heart as His manger, as the vessel of His resting place? Or is it full of jealousy, envy, hatred, unforgiveness, self-pity, lust, anger, or prejudice? Is there any room left for Him to come and “lay down His sweet head”? Have you said, “Sorry, there is no room for You in this inn”?

Does He plead, “But where will I be born; where will I find My resting place? Your manger is full, full of unforgiveness, full of your own self. I see no room for Me. I’ve been turned away from inn after inn; where do you wish Me to go?”

Wise men give Christ room to dwell. Will you be a “wise man” this year? Will you visit Bethlehem this Christmas? Will its Visitor visit you? Will your inn have room for Him? Or will Bethlehem come and you will have missed it?

Make room for the Christ-child; make room for the Christ-Man. Give Him the lodging place He deserves. Be as the wise men when they came to Bethlehem: worshipping on bended knee, grateful, and bringing gifts.

“O come all ye faithful…O come ye to Bethlehem…Come and behold Him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him…Christ the Lord!”

When wise, men come to Bethlehem!

I pray abundant blessings for you and your family, for a Christmas filled with the miracle of the manger, the presence of the Christ-child and the Christ-man. May you be wise and find Bethlehem…and may it find you.

Christmas blessings, Lynn

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Holiday Crafts and Recipes from around the blogosphere

by Christena Hammes It’s that time of year again, and oh, what joy comes when you involve your children in the festivities! Here are some great craft and recipe ideas:

Paper Bag Reindeer What you need: * Brown paper lunch bag * Medium black pom-pom * White craft glue * Construction paper: black, white and tan/brown * 4 jungle bells * Scissors * Red plastic milk jug lid * Glue stick * Gold paint pen * Pattern Let’s make it! * Use white glue to attach the black pom-pom to the flap of the bag. * Cut out the eyes using the pattern as a guide. You will need two brown/tan eyelids, two white eyes, and two black pupils. Assemble the eyes with a glue stick. Use the glue stick to attach the eyes to the front of the bag above the pom-pom nose. * Cut a strip of black paper with width of the paper bag, about one inch wide. Cut a small piece of black paper for the name tag hanger. Glue the small strip to the center of the larger strip so that it is hanging down. * Use gold paint pen to write "Comet" on the red plastic lid. Glue the lid to the bag, overlapping the small black strip (hanger). * Use a generous amount of white craft glue to attach 4 jingle bells to the black strip (collar). * Trace child's hands onto brown/tan paper and cut out. Use glue stick to attach the hands to the back of the bag as the antlers.

Tips: To make this puppet into Rudolph, use a red pom-pom and write "Rudy" on the plastic lid. Instead of hand print antlers, you can simply cut simple antlers from brown paper. You can use large wiggle eyes instead of our pattern if you prefer.

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Bread Dough Clay Ornaments What you need: * 5 slices of white bread, crusts removed * 1 tablespoon white craft glue * Cooking spray * Bowl * Rolling pin * Cookie cutters * Toothpick * Cooling rack * Glitter glue and paint * String How to make it: * Roll each piece of bread in your hand, then place into a mini food processor or blender. Only adults should run these appliances. * Process the bread until it turns into crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a bowl. * Spray the tablespoon with cooking spray so that the glue will slide out easily. Fill the tablespoon with glue then pour it into the bread crumbs. * Mix the glue and bread crumbs together with your fingers until completely incorporated. Keep working it with your hands and fingers until it feels consistent. * Roll out the dough with a rolling pin and cut out ornaments with cookie cutters. * Use a toothpick to create a hole near the top of each shape and place the ornaments on a cooling rack to dry. Leave the toothpicks in the holes so that they do not close up. Allow to dry overnight. * Now you can decorate your ornaments however you like. You can paint them with paint and/or glitter glue, or even decorate them with markers.

You can also leave your ornaments plain. * Run a piece of string through the hole and tie to create the hanger.

Tips: You can skip the need for the food processor or blender by tearing the bread into pieces and mixing with the glue. The process is much longer, but will achieve the same result. If you have a pasta maker, run your dough through it instead of using the rolling pin! If you are not concerned about the end color results, you do not need to remove the crusts from the bread.

You can find this and other great craft ideas at KABOOSE 14

The Good Thing about Criticism

by Theresa Ceniccola The dangerous thing about a smart phone is that people can hurt you when you least expect it. It was a Saturday morning and I had just settled in the bleachers with my coffee to watch my daughter’s volleyball game. While the girls were warming up, I made the critical mistake of glancing at my email. There it was. A bad review.

Somebody had linked to my website with a comment that questioned the depth of my theological knowledge (which, by the way, is an area in which I claim no expertise). Nonetheless, the remark pierced my soul, burst my ego and nearly prevented me from enjoying my daughter’s game.

This wasn’t the first time I received a critical comment, but it’s the first time I felt under attack. If you’re running a business, leading a ministry, sharing your personal story or writing a blog, you’ve probably experienced criticism at some point and felt the same way. It’s part of the territory when you accept the calling to share your gifts, spread God’s word or step into your purpose. But just like any painful experience, criticism presents an opportunity for growth.

The next time you are faced with a hurtful remark about your work, take heart – the following tips will help you discover the sunny side of criticism. In fact, if you view criticism as a gift you may realize that an unexpected attack from a stranger is just what you needed to refine your message, hone your skills, expand your knowledge and blossom as a business owner.

Five True Gifts Found in Criticism: 1. Criticism presents an opportunity for learning. The first step in receiving criticism (constructive or otherwise) is to accept the possibility that it is laced in truth. This isn’t easy, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Humble yourself and be as objective as possible in answering this question: “Is there any truth to the criticism?” The answer may lead you on a journey for invaluable knowledge that helps you and your business grow.

2. Even a hateful critic is a testimony to the fact that you are being heard. Throughout history, most great leaders (including Jesus Christ) were not loved by everyone during their lifetime.

In fact, most of them stirred up emotions and turmoil as they led their followers through a meaningful transformation. As a business owner or ministry leader, if you are doing your job well, you are bound to attract opponents. That only means that your voice is loud enough to be heard over the clutter and chaos of everyday life. Congratulations. That’s a huge step forward!

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3. Conflict presents an exercise in respecting others’ opinions even when you disagree. One of the reasons we join groups – in business or through church or other activities – is that we like to surround ourselves with people who share the same values and interests. We don’t intentionally seek out people who have conflicting opinions. But they inevitably find us.

There is a skill to be polished when it comes to dealing with conflict in a respectful and professional manner. And each time you offer love and compassion to someone who is filled with hate and destruction, you honor God and refine your own character.

4. Criticism teaches you to receive support. I think I’m a pretty tough cookie. That I can handle just about anything. I don’t spend much time feeling sorry for myself or second-guessing my every move. I can usually accept criticism for what it is and not internalize it. But every once in a while, something hits me and it really hurts. That’s when God blesses me with the opportunity to seek out and receive support from those who love and know me.

That’s when I get to humble myself, ask a friend or colleague for a hug and bask in the light of confidence and encouragement they shine on me. I invite you to do the same the next time you are faced with criticism. You’ll feel so much better after a good pep talk or a long cry on the shoulder of a friend. And isn’t that what we are here to do – love and support one another?

5. Hurtful remarks are a reminder to establish boundaries. As mothers we try to protect our children from every imaginable danger.

One of the first things we do is remove our babies from an inherently hurtful situation – by buckling them in a highchair, putting safety plugs in the outlets and removing soft pillows from the crib. We know exactly how to establish safe boundaries for our little ones. And we have to do that for ourselves as well.

We have to filter potentially hurtful comments to minimize our exposure. We have to set up systems to ensure that negative, hateful remarks are either vetted by an assistant first, or directed to a specific place that we can monitor later. I’m not saying we should ignore or avoid criticism. But it’s important to identify the time and place in which WE want to hear these remarks, rather than letting them invade our happiness at inopportune moments (like at my daughter’s volleyball game!).

Were these tips helpful to you? How do you deal with criticism? Share your experiences here with us!

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A Question at Christmas Who is the baby who is the King?

Who is the King who is the Shepherd?

Who is the Shepherd who is the Lamb?

Who is the Lamb who is the Savior?

His name is Jesus He’s the baby who is the King.

He is the King who is the Shepherd.

He is the Shepherd who is the Lamb, He is the Savior‌who is the Son of the Living God. ~ by Sharon L. Patterson

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“It Is…” It is… … The sound from heaven magnified in the cooing cries of the infant nestled in the arms of his virgin mother as she sings a thanksgiving lullaby to her son and His Father. … The 3D light show of angels gathering in the sky over shepherds fields to deliver God’s miraculous announcement in the glory of surround sound. … The guiding glow of a simple star, leading foreign kings to present royal gifts to a child of humblest circumstance. …The taste of freedom in the famished mouths of sins’ captives standing in the portals of all time waiting for the promise of the ages that has just become Messiah in the flesh. …The touch of God’s eternal love personified, breaking the bonds of heaven for the atmosphere of earth through the womb of birth. …The only life born in the shadow of a distant cross and a resurrection morning worthy enough to give a new beginning for all mankind.

It is…

God’s Son, His Only Son whose birth we will celebrate and remember in song with demonstrations of light and sound and the taste of new beginning.

It is…

C H R I S T M A

S !

~ by Sharon L. Patterson

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Mom Guilt

by Heather King “So, this season take delight in your relationship with Him. Linger in His presence. Make Him your first priority. Allow Him to re-arrange the furniture of your heart and match your desires with His.”

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11, NIV)

I threw angry glances at the decorated houses as we sped by. Even if they didn’t know I was mad at them, at least I felt better getting the feeling off my chest.

Mom guilt . . . . . that’s what had me standing in the Christmas lights aisle at Wal-Mart two days after Thanksgiving.

Still, I understood her feelings. I remember being a kid and pestering my dad to hang Christmas lights on our home for years. I remember taking the lights tour in the family mini-van and “ooh-ing” and “aah-ing” over the decorations and wishing we had added a little Christmas flare to the outside of our house.

I squinted and stared at the options before me: Icicle lights; blue, green, or red lights; sparkly, flashing lights with 12 different settings; heavy duty lights; mini lights.

Then there were clips and clasps of every variety to attach your chosen lights to your house. Did I need these things? Wasn’t there a way to hang lights sans gadgets and gizmos?

I grabbed a package of plain white mini lights from the shelf, thinking my first attempt at decorating the outside of our home should be simple. “Start small,” I thought.

For years, my oldest daughter had begged me to decorate the outside of our home for Christmas.

This year, her pleading had reached a new level of intensity.

She took one look at the homes with Christmas lights already gleaming in mid-November (insert looks of disgust here!!!) and whined from the back of our minivan, “Mom! . . . . . . . Everyone’s house is so beautiful for Christmas and ours is just DULL.”

So, there I was this year buying Christmas lights from Wal-Mart. And there I was starting simple, stringing them up the steps to my home and around the door frame. And there was my daughter exclaiming how beautiful it was.

(She actually had asked for one of those giant blow-up Snow Globes for the front yard along with a massive Frosty the Snowman and maybe some lighted reindeer figurines. But there are limits. Mom guilt only gets you so far.)

When I’m praying, I wonder how many of my requests to God make it to His throne room sounding like the high-pitched whine of me pouring on “God guilt.” Perhaps your prayers sound like this, too.

“God, all my friends have their careers all set and know what they want to do with their lives, but I’m floundering around waiting for some direction here!”

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“God, You thought everyone else deserved a husband to love them and tell them they’re beautiful. What’s the deal with me still being single?”

So, this season take delight in your relationship with Him. Linger in His presence. Make Him your first priority. Allow Him to re-arrange the furniture of your heart and match your desires with His.

“God, how come everybody else is financially secure and has a savings plan and we’re struggling paycheck to paycheck and never truly making it?”

When you begin to feel the frantic panic of need, remember that God tells you “do not worry about your life:” Not about having food or drink and not about having clothes to wear.

God doesn’t bless us or rescue us out of guilt, though. Not now. Not in the past. Not ever. He’s not “guilted” into love and He wasn’t “guilted” into the cross.

Deep down, me stringing lights across the front steps of my house wasn’t truly about guilt either. It was about love.

My daughter had made a request, not a ridiculous one motivated by greed or pride or selfishness. It was the simple desire of a child’s heart.

And I love her.

So, I gave in. I spent less than $10 for some lights and garland and took a tiny piece of my time and gave her the desire of her heart.

I can’t always give her everything she wants. She can’t have every toy or outfit or trip her friends have. She can’t do every activity she wants to do.

That wouldn’t be good for her anyway. Still, I give her what I can when I can because I love this beautiful daughter of mine. I love to see her react with joy, love to see her know she’s loved, and love to show her that I listen to what she says.

God loves you.

He loves to see you react with joy. He loves to see you when you know you’re loved. He loves to show you that He listens to what you say.

God’s intention is always relational, though. He isn’t just dishing out answers to prayer requests like some sort of holy vending machine. The Psalmist tells us, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4, NIV).

He watches over the birds of the air and the flowers in the field and He values us so much more than them. He surely can handle our every need.

So, keep your focus relational, just as He does for you: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV).

Then when He pours out blessing on you, when He loads your arms full of good gifts, when He grants the simplest petitions of your heart—even the whimsical longings you are too embarrassed to actually put on a wish list—accept it as a reminder of His love.

He wasn’t coerced or guilted into giving you amazing grace. These are His gifts to you because He loves you.

Heather King is a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom to three beautiful girls. A former English teacher, she now lives a life of doing dishes, folding laundry, finding lost toys and mending scraped knees. Heather is the worship leader at her church in Virginia, a Bible study teacher and women’s ministry leader.

Somewhere in the middle of the noise, mess, and busyness of life, she takes time to meet with God at her kitchen table with a Bible, a journal and a cup of strong hot tea with lots of sugar.

You can find her blogging about these times with God at her devotional site: Room to Breathe at http://heathercking.wordpress.com/ "He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul” Psalm 62:1-2 (MSG).

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Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting or Maple Butter Frosting from the kitchen of Richetta Blackmon Why not create a new family tradition this holiday season? This delicious carrot cake is not only beautiful, but it would be the perfect addition to your dessert table for Christmas dinner. Or, then next time you have to whip up something for the church carry-in dinner, bring this carrot cake and listen to all the compliments!

What you need: * 1 pound carrots, peeled * 1 1/2 cup flour * 2 teaspoons baking powder * 1 teaspoon salt * 1/2 baking soda * 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon * 4 eggs * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract * 1 cup dark brown sugar * 1 cup granulated sugar * 1 1/4 cup sunflower oil (or other) * 1 cup of walnuts, finely chopped * 1/2 cup raisins Walnut halves, for decorating (optional) For Cream Cheese frosting:

For Maple Butter Frosting:

* 3 cups confectioners' sugar

* 1/4 cup maple syrup

* 1/4 Karo syrup

* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

* 1 pack of cream cheese

* 3 cups of confectioners' sugar 21

Let’s make it!

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 11 x 8 inch rectangular baking pan with wax paper and grease.

Grate the carrots and set aside.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon into a bowl. Set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat the eggs until blended. Add the vanilla, sugars, and oil; beat incorporate. Add the dry ingredients, in 3 batches, folding in well after each addition.

Add the carrots, walnuts, and raisins and fold in thoroughly.

Pour the batter into the prepared and bake until the cake springs back when touched lightly, 40-45 minutes. Let stand minutes, then unmold and transfer to a rack.

For the frosting, cream the butter with half of the sugar until soft. Add the syrup, then beat in the remaining sugar until blended.

Spread the frosting over the top of the cake. Using a metal spatula, make decorative ridges across the top Cut into squares. Decorate with walnut halves, if wished.

You are invited to join us every week for

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

Please join us for Inspire Me Monday 22

How to Discover Your God-Given Purpose from the Inside Out

by Yvonne Carson Congratulations to Yvonne Carson on the recent publication of her book “How to Discover Your God-Given Purpose From The Inside Out: A Step-By-Step Action Guide To Living Your Life With Purpose, Passion, and Fulfillment” which is now available through Amazon.com.

People live their lives for many years not knowing what they were born to be and to do; many settle for lives of mediocrity and boredom, and stay bogged down in jobs and careers that they hate and are emotionally and physically draining them.

Sadly, many die carrying with them their gifts, talents, abilities, creativity, and their dreams to the grave, without the world celebrating them or experiencing that greatness!

Now more than any other time in history people are hungry and are searching for their life purpose and for meaning in their lives!

God created every human being with a unique purpose and calling. Along with that God also placed inside each of us our own unique set of gifts, talents, abilities, and creativity to fulfill that life purpose.

How to Discover Your Life Purpose From The Inside Out can help you discover your life purpose by exploration and prayer along with a series of exercises included in the second half of the book. This book is only a beginning but it will help get in started in the right direction.

Chapter One Excerpt (Printed by permission from author) Chapter 1: Know Who You Are “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26) If I were to ask you, “Who are you?” chances are many of you would answer, “I’m a mother, wife, or daughter,” “I’m a home designer,” “I’m an executive,” “I’m a singer, dancer, or artist,” “I’m an athlete, professional counselor, entrepreneur, lawyer, or doctor, etc. All of these responses express what you do, not who you are.

Many people respond to the question “Who are you?” by stating what they do, which is a strong indication that most people really do not know their true identity or who the God of the universe created them to be. The truth of the matter is your identity is not defined by what you do, neither where you were born nor who your parents are or how much or little money you have. True enough, we share our parents’ DNA, inherit many of their attitudes and beliefs, etc. but this still does not identify or establish who you are or your true identity.

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You may be wondering why knowing who I am is so important to my purpose and destiny. What does this have to do with discovering my God-given purpose from the inside out? It’s important because how you feel and think about yourself (your core beliefs) is the driving force behind the way you think, the choices that you make, what you believe, and what you do (your behavior or actions). Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Before you can know who you are or your true identity, you must first come to know who God is, for it is in your knowledge of God and knowing Him that you come to know who you are in Christ. There is no other means by which you can come to know who you are or your true identity other than through Christ Jesus.

About Yvonne Carson: Yvonne was born and raised in New York City. She enjoys writing about various topics including Christian spirituality, personal growth, and anything that inspires positive change in others. Other things she greatly enjoys doing is coaching, counseling, teaching, and preaching! Yvonne currently resides in Georgia.

Candy Cane Cookies from the kitchen of Christena Hammes My daughters and I loved making these cookies!

What you need: * 3/4 cup butter, softened * 1 cup sugar * 1 large egg * 1 tsp. peppermint extract * 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract * 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour * Red food coloring Let’s make it!

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and beat well. Stir in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Gradually mix in the flour.

Divide the dough in half. Color one half with red food coloring and leave the other half plain. Roll out a tablespoon of red dough and a tablespoon of plain until they are each 6 to 8 inches long. Twist them into a candy cane, pinching the ends. Repeat.

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The Winter Season

by Dorothy Kurchak

Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 to: Spoonful The winter season can be beautiful at times. This picture is from Jon and Diane’s garden. This summer there were bluebirds here and there all over their yard.

I sure was envious! We used to have bluebird houses along the lane going into the field, but without my husband’s maintenance they have fallen into decay.

The bluebirds like clean, sturdy houses. Presently there are several goldfinch and pine siskins at my thistle feeder. The siskins only come in the fall and winter. They don’t appear to be as frightened by people as most birds. I did get quite close for the picture I took in November before the snow.

Most of them prefer to ground feed. One thing I’ve noticed about the thistle feeder is that the seed below the last hole cannot be reached. So I dump it out when I refill the feeder. Otherwise, the seed molds which may be harmful to the birds. I fill the other feeder with sunflower seeds.

The price of the seeds has gone up quite a bit. I think it’s because people are eating more of them too. They do taste pretty good with some salt on them. Yes, I eat salt! Some people almost faint when I mention I salt my food. I do believe this “healthy eating” craze is over-done by some. To each his own.

I decorated my sun room Christmas tree with rose buds, bird feathers, sweet gum balls, crocheted snowflakes and my oak winged angel. She gets to play center stage each year on the “nature” tree. Her wings are oak leafs which stay quite firm without any lacquer.

I had intended to make her wings of pressed ferns but didn’t remember to press any this summer.

I was so pressed that I only had time and strength for what had to be done, no extra little activities. I did manage to press some delphiniums which I plan to use to make a picture to replace an old one I made several years ago.

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My Boston fern is doing quite well so far. It always creates such a mess with the dried leaves, but it would be so wasteful to leave it out and let the frost kill it. So every fall I put up with its messy habit. I believe next spring I’ll leave it in the house. I would like it to grow larger. A friend of mine had one that had fronds four feet long. I enjoy having green plants in the house during the winter. They add “life.”

Usually after Christmas I buy a flowering plant to replace the Christmas tree.

I may try a gloxinia this year. They’re like an overgrown violet. I really do enjoy the beauty of plants, flowering and non-flowering. At one time I wanted a garden window. But that never came to be.

At our previous house there was an enclosed porch across the front of the house. I set up a table with a grow light over it. I had many violets and other plants. Then one winter night the wind blew the door open and everything froze. End of that enterprise.

This house has the sunroom, but it’s only warm in the summer.

I’m so thankful for what I have!

The other evening there was a spectacular sunset. Isn’t this beautiful!!! When I saw this I wept. To me it expressed God’s love. He made it for us to enjoy. And, I do enjoy His wonders!

May you all have a Merry Christmas,

Aunt Dots

Advent Oddessy

by Keith Wallis A book of rhyme and free verse, as well as narrative meditation, Advent Oddessy by Keith Wallis is now available at www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3727126 http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/ 26

Inviting Them Home

by Daphne Tarango Many people were away from their homes for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ – Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, the wise men, and most of all, Jesus Himself.

Several years ago, I was away from home for the holidays. Recently divorced, I moved to a new town the week of Christmas and knew no one–except my dog. I didn’t know my way around the town, and all I remembered was seeing a church several blocks from my house.

I mustered up enough courage to drive to the church for their Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Churchgoers shook my hand, talked to me, and asked why I was in town. A kind family invited me to sit by them. I felt at home.

At the end of the service, I thanked them for welcoming me and wished them a ”Merry Christmas.” As I walked away, the mother-figure in the family came over and invited me to her family’s home that evening – and if I had nowhere else to go, I could come to Christmas dinner with them, too.

At first, I declined and said I didn’t want to impose. But she insisted – it would be no imposition. They had a large family and everyone would be there. I nodded. “Okay.”

I followed them home and enjoyed evening snacks and gift-giving. We laughed and played games. I felt at home.

The next day, I joined them for Christmas. Again, I felt at home.

It was just one invitation – but an invitation I’ll never forget.

Every year since then, my friends and I have hosted a Christmas party for singles and others who have little or no family in the area. We enjoy each other’s company and it is the “home for the holidays” that most wouldn’t otherwise have. Just last year, we had almost 40 people in my home. We laughed and played games. Can you picture a white-elephant gift exchange for 40 people ages 2 to 74? I enjoyed every minute of it, and I trust they did too.

They felt at home.

As you and your family approach Christmas Eve, Christmas, and even the New Year holiday, think about those who don’t have a place where they can feel at home. Call them. Reach out to them. Invite them home.

Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer who comforts others with the comfort she has received from God. Daphne is a recovery speaker and writers’ group president. She has published numerous inspirational articles in print and online magazines, including several entries in two collections: Women of the Secret Place and Chronicles of a Walk with Christ. Daphne is married to Luis and in the past several months, she has resigned from corporate life to take a position as a stay-at-home mom of three adopted children. To connect with Daphne, visit her blog: http://DaphneWrites.com.

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Content with One Gift

by Gloria Doty

When I watch my grandchildren open their many gifts on Christmas morning, I often wonder how they would react if they had only one gift to open. I’m sure they would feel deprived and saddened.

My mother was born in 1910. She was the eighth child in a family of 10 children. Her parents were certainly not wealthy, but neither were they destitute. She often spoke about the Christmases of her childhood.

The children would wake up to find their gifts next to their plates at the table. The five boys would receive an orange and a pair of gloves and for the girls there would be an orange and a pair of long black stockings.

One Christmas, my mother also received a doll from her godmother. The doll had a porcelain head and arms. Her hair was real and she had two tiny white teeth in her little rosebud mouth. Mom made a pair of flannel bloomers for her and a dress and an underskirt.

It was the only doll my mother ever owned and she treasured her long after she was too old to play with a doll.

As a child, I was allowed to look at the doll occasionally, but I could never play with her. She was kept safe in my mother’s dresser drawer.

Over the years, the doll’s hair became somewhat brittle and her clothes were faded, but she still had the smile that showed the two teeth. After my mother’s death, I inherited the doll. When I look at her, I am reminded of my mother and I think how happy she must have been that Christmas. She was content with one gift and that is how she lived her entire life; content with what she had.

We should remember that there is truly only one Gift that means anything; only one Gift that will not fade or become tattered. That Gift is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. Despite our earthly wealth or poverty, we should be content in the knowledge that He is the greatest Gift and He is all we need.

Heavenly Father, teach me to be content with the things I have. Help me realize the secret to true contentment lies in the knowledge that You provide all that is necessary for me while on this earth and You provided the greatest Gift, Your Son. Hebrews 13:5 …be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

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Holiday Crafts from Around the Blogosphere One of the best things about the internet . . . . among many amazing blessings that come into our lives everyday through this world wide connection . . . . is the opportunity to discover new ideas from other creative spirits. Every month in the Ruby for Women magazine, we bring together a selection of some of the best seasonal crafts and recipes that we have found in our journey through the blogosphere.

All of the craft projects below have been created by some amazing artists and designers, and we encourage you to follow the links provided and make your own discoveries, and hopefully you will be inspired to create your own holiday crafts. Oh, and by the way, when you stop by to visit these bloggers, be sure to tell them that Ruby sent you!

Beaded Glass Jar Candle Holders What you need:

• Pilot gold, silver, and white markers • Clear glass jars • Fine craft wire, silver and gold • Assortment of glass and metal beads • Colored candles Let’s make it!

STEP #1: Decorate the glass jars with gold, silver and white markers. Dots, curls and scribbled lines are easy and effective, so keep it simple and don’t forget to decorate the top edges.

STEP #2: Cut 18” of craft wire. Add three small beads and then add a larger bead. Place the larger bead about ½” from the smaller beads and then twist the wire until the top of the twist meets the smaller beads. Or create any design you like with the beads and wire, and then wrap around the top of the jar and twist the ends together to hold in place.

TIPS: To create the “handle” on the candle jar, simply twist one end of a length of wire onto the beaded wire wrapped around the top of the jar, and then bend it until it forms a rounded handle and twist the other end onto the beaded wire, on the other side of the jar top. Beads can be added to the “handle” as well, but it is important that this “handle” only be used as decoration. DO NOT try to lift or carry the candle jar by this “handle” as it will be HOT! This craft project, and other ideas for upcycling glass jars for the holidays, can be found at www.indulgy.com Check out the other beautiful craft project ideas, and please share them with us at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com 29

Button Christmas Tree Ornaments These adorable little Christmas trees are created using stacks of buttons, threaded onto lightweight craft wire, and topped with a little yellow star button. So sweet! And a perfect holiday craft project for little ones to help create.

Find this craft tutorial, along with many other fun craft project ideas for families with tiny tots at Easy Preschool Craft blog. www.easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com

Cookie Tin Advent Calendar Every year, just after Thanksgiving, we begin to think about our Advent Calendar. When the big kids were little, we would sometimes have one that we would hang on the wall of our dining room and we would take turns opening up the little doors every day in December, counting down to the Christmas Day. As the kids got older, we found other kinds of Advent Calendars that were three-dimensional such as a fold-out Victorian church with stained glass windows that opened, one each day. One year we found a fold-out Nativity scene with little doors that opened each day.

More recently, I have discovered so many different ways to create Advent Calendars, and of course I would like to make them all . . . . there are banners with little pockets; wall hangings with tiny envelopes; fold-up cards with a page for every day of the month; even calendars made from sturdy art board with little match boxes that open to reveal a tiny toy or Christmas symbol inside each one.

Last year we created an Advent Calendar from a cookie tin . . . but I wasn’t completely happy with the way it turned out. So when I saw this one, I just had to share it with you! It is simple and yet charming, with a touch of vintage whimsy, and perfect for families of all sizes with kids of all ages. For complete instructions, please visit www.makingmemories.typepad.com where you will find other beautiful holiday craft projects, as well.

Lace Frosted Candle Jars There is just something about the glow of candles at Christmas time that is so beautiful! Here is another holiday craft project tutorial from Indulgy.com that you can use to create these lacey candle holders from clear glass jars. Super simple, just cover a jar with a strip of lace and tape in place.

Spray the entire jar with frosted, translucent paint and let dry.

Remove the lace and voila! You have a beautiful lace frosted candle jar. Place a tea light candle inside each one, and line them up on your mantle for a charming Christmas display. For this complete tutorial, as well as other beautiful holiday craft project tutorials, please visit www.indulgy.com 30

Hitori Number Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker

Answer Key on page 90.

Be sure to visit Beth at her blog, Footprints in the Mud, for more inspirational and humorous articles www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com 31

The Best Laid Plans

by Gloria Doty

I was helping my mom prepare for a Christmas party she was having and I was teasing her about her ‘lists’. She had a list of groceries she needed to pick up, a list of the cleaning chores that remained to be done, a list of the guests and a list of the places she still needed to go before the party. She was used to her children’s teasing, but she would counter with the fact that she was a planner and good planners always operated with a list so they didn’t forget any details.

The funny thing about it was that no matter how much she planned, she also always planned for the ‘unplanned’; like the time the power went out only two hours before a party, or the time when half of the guests came down with the flu the day of the party or when my brother ate the ham which was the main ingredient in a recipe she was making.

For this party, my name was even on one of her lists. She had asked me to read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke after dinner. Even though I knew the story by heart, I thought I had better read it again to make sure that I didn’t stumble over any words. As I read the familiar words, I wondered if Mary had been a ‘planner,’ and if she was, boy, did God ever throw her plans out of whack!

I’m sure that Mary had been making wedding plans before Gabriel came to visit. Not only was this an unexpected pregnancy, but then she found herself riding on the back of a donkey on her way to a strange city with no relatives to act as midwives. If she had been making plans for a nice quiet birth, she was now in a stable with animals for company. She probably wanted to say, “This wasn’t exactly in my plans.”

The difference between Mary and me is that she knew that God had the ultimate plan and she was willing to accept His plan even if she didn’t understand it. I, on the other hand, don’t always think about God’s plan; I mostly think of my plans.

Isaiah 46:11 “What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.”

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Sheila’s Quick & Easy Gingerbread Crunch Coffeecake from the kitchen of Sheila Watson I love Gingerbread, but must admit I get a little bored with just the same old hunk of warm gingerbread with that dollop of sugary-sweet whipped cream dripping alluringly off its side – yum!

So I decided to try making a box gingerbread mix into a coffeecake, and here is the recipe. BTW it was a smashing success when I took this to church for our “Coffee Time” before services!

What you need: * 1 box Betty Crocker gingerbread mix * 1-1/4 cup water * 1 egg * ¼ cup melted butter Crunch Topping: * 1 cup crumbled gingersnap cookies * 2 tbsp. butter * 2 tbsp. flour * 2 tbsp. sugar * 1 tbsp. brown sugar * ¼ cup walnuts, chopped Let’s make it!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 or 10 inch square cake pan with butter or spray with nonstick baking spray (Baker’s Joy).

1. Pour mix into a large mixing bowl and add water, egg, sour cream, and butter; stir with a wooden spoon to combine well.

2. Scoop batter into prepared cake pan, leaving a little batter in bowl (approx. 2 tbsp.)

3. In the same bowl as the batter, scrape any batter clinging to the sides into the center, add gingersnap crumbles, butter, flour, sugar, brown sugar, and walnuts - combine well.

4. Sprinkle topping evenly over gingerbread batter already in the cake pan; place in oven and bake 35-40 minutes or until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

This is great served warm but even crunchier when cooled to room temperature. It can be adorned with the usual dollop of whipped cream, but try a bit of marshmallow crème instead, for that extra “WOWFactor” we all love at Christmas!

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Holiday Thumbprint Cookies from the kitchen of Christena Hammes This is one of my favorite cookies of all time . . . and the kids like them, too! Make up a few batches of them for your family this Christmas, in lots of different flavors of fruit jam. They are really pretty with bright red strawberry jam, or with any jewel-tone jelly for the filling. Thumbprint cookies will become a favorite at your house, too!

What you need: * 1 cup of butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces), room temperature * 1/2 cup of sugar * 2 eggs, room temperature * 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract * Pinch of salt * 2 cups of flour * 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) * 3/4 cup of your favorite jam * Parchment paper Let’s make it!

Cream the butter and sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes.

Separate the eggs. Add the yolks and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. If using nuts place the egg whites in a shallow dish on the side and whisk them until bubbly and frothy (the egg whites will be used to keep the nuts on the cookies).

Add the flour and salt. Mix until just combined. Place the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes and preheat the oven to 350F. Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. If using nuts, dip the balls into the egg whites then roll them into the nuts until covered. Place the balls on parchment lined cookie sheets.

Press down with your thumb to make a small well in the center of the cookie. Do not press too hard or the cookie will fall apart. Fill with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until slightly firm. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet to firm up before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Yield: Makes 2 dozen cookies.

You can find this recipe and others at: Simply Recipes

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Do You Hate the Christmas Season?

by Corallie Buchanan

Christmas seems to be the time when people try and avoid dredging up old grievances.

Circumstances are ripe for an argument. The proximity of close family. The stress that often surrounds the holiday season.

David’s unashamed dancing and Michal’s criticism is one of the most famous marital disputes in the Bible. However, in order to understand this passage properly, we need to look at things from Michal’s point of view.

Christmas is supposed to be a season of celebration, yet it is often the most dreaded time of the year. Not everyone is happy about celebration.

Only when we take a close look at this pitiable character, can we truly understand her motivations for her behavior towards King David.

Michal and David: A tumultuous history

Relationships at Christmas can sometimes seem like rubbing sandpaper against sandpaper. We try and avoid discussing the ‘taboo’ issues. We try and keep our bitterness under wraps. But much like the water behind a dam wall, the pressure is enormous.

If the wall is unable to withstand the water pressure, eventually it will collapse. The water spills out over the edge like the water cascading over the edge of Niagara Falls.

Michal was one such person. In 2 Samuel 6, Israel was faced with an opportunity for great celebration. Michal however, was in no mood for celebrating. She was extremely bitter towards her husband, and it showed. Right at a time when there should have been joyous celebration, Michal was sulking in a corner.

How often this happens at Christmas. There is always one party pooper to dampen the mood.

This Christmas season, I want us to look closely at this particular party pooper. Why was Michal so bitter towards David? Why did she allow her bitterness to mar what would have been an otherwise festive occasion?

Michal was David’s first wife, given to David as a reward for killing Goliath the Philistine (1 Sa 18:22-28). She was desperately in love with David; a man she likely felt strongly attracted to.

Her father Saul exploited his daughter’s love to suit his own purposes.

Later on, Michal rescues David from the hand of Saul (1 Sa 19:9-17). This was not something that would have come easy to her. It required her to defy her own father. To put it into proper perspective, imagine the son or daughter of the President of the United States.

Imagine going against the wishes of the most powerful man in the world. Michal was risking her life for the sake of her husband, and yet he appears completely ungrateful. Scripture doesn’t record David ever having said thank you.

Shortly after this, David takes two other wives (1 Sa 25:39-43). This couldn’t have been easy for Michal to handle. Not only does he not acknowledge her courageous act, now she sees him committing adultery. This would have no doubt hurt Michal’s already fragile pride.

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“After all, Michal had a pretty rough journey up until this point. Being tossed from place to place like that would make anybody feel unloved.”

If we read further, we see that Michal is now pushed off into another arranged marriage at the hand of her father (1 Sa 25:44). It is not stated whether this second marriage was economical or not. All we know is that Michal was forced into it.

Then the inevitable happens.

When David sees that his wife has been given to someone else, he demands her return to him.

Never mind that Michal was finally settled in a comfortable home with a loving husband (Paltiel’s weeping in 2 Sa 3:16). David wanted his due, and at the expense of Michal’s happiness.

All of these circumstances leading up to our passage I hope would make us feel a little more compassion for Michal. After all, she had a pretty rough journey up until this point. Being tossed from place to place like that would make anybody feel unloved.

With that in mind, let us now turn to our passage in question. I want you to read the below passage with what you have already learned from Michal’s background. Try and understand the heart of the woman first, before you form your opinion of her conduct.

Controversy arises: The famous dancing incident 2Sa 6:13

When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

2Sa 6:14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, 2Sa 6:15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

2Sa 6:16

As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

2Sa 6:17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD. 2Sa 6:18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty.

2Sa 6:19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women.

And all the people went to their homes.

2Sa 6:20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

2Sa 6:21 David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD'S people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 2Sa 6:22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

2Sa 6:23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

I think that at this point many commentators are overly critical of poor Michal, even too positive regarding King David’s conduct. Please note that at the first juncture, we do not see Michal openly degrading David. It merely says that she despised him in her heart (v16) 36

“David’s conduct on more than one account was seriously questionable. Not only that, but it seems his attitude towards Michal herself could have used a bit of work.”

Admittedly, David and Michal already had marriage problems. After all, David had already taken other wives besides her. Of course she is going to be bitter. Not only did her husband abandon her after she risked her life for him, in addition he was also unfaithful to her.

David’s less than innocent conduct What I find difficult is how easily commentators and preachers jump to David’s defense. The king was not totally innocent in these proceedings.

There are three reasons for this.

Firstly, the manner in which David instructed the ark to be carried was not in keeping with the laws of Moses. If the ark were to be carried in the way God had designed it to be, the ark’s journey would be steady and not prone to stumbling.

Human bodies are designed to be able to absorb any bumps in the road. Yet David had allowed it to be carried by oxen, animals that are often unpredictable, and not quite so steady. In allowing the ark to be carried in this fashion, David was overtly disobeying God’s law.

It is amazing that such a “faux-pas” was being committed in a very public setting, yet nobody has yet said a word. I am surprised that this consideration is uncommon to many who read this passage.

Secondly, the manner in which David was dressed seems to me to be highly questionable.

In Exodus 28:39-43, the law is very specific about the clothing required for the priesthood. It says to Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. (Ex 28:42)

I find no mention in 2 Samuel 6 of David wearing these undergarments. It is entirely possible, though not certainly, that David was wearing the ephod on its own. This is an alarming fact, especially in light of our next point.

Finally, the word used for dancing in this passage is found nowhere else in the Bible. The original meaning seems to refer to “whirling about” in a manner similar to that of the pagan dances.

Dancing of this kind was part of the Hindu religious ceremony; not something you would see the king of Israel doing. As a former ballet dancer myself, I have considered this passage on numerous occasions.

I was always led to believe that this unashamed dancing was a very honorable and heartfelt act. Yet despite my initial objections to changing my opinion on the passage, I now hold a very different view.

Was David’s conduct honoring in God’s sight?

The question I have asked myself is, was David’s conduct honoring to God? Michal seemed to think it wasn’t. How glorious was the king of Israel (v20).

You can almost hear the sarcastic tone with which Michal was addressing her husband.

It is interesting also to note that David does not deny Michal’s accusation of his contemptible conduct. His only justification of his actions is that he did so “before the Lord.”

David’s conduct on more than one account was seriously questionable. Not only that, but it seems his attitude towards Michal herself could have used a bit of work.

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“This Christmas, don’t put on a show. Be real about your pain, and face up to some very hard truths.

Maybe try and deal with some of your bitterness towards your family, instead of hiding it.”

1 and 2 Samuel make it clear that God had now rejected Saul in favour of David as king. It seems possible that a certain amount of pride began to creep into David’s heart. In these circumstances, David’s response to Michal could be seen as quite derogatory.

“It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel.” (1 Sa 6:21). This “superior” status would no doubt influence his treatment of his wife – and Saul’s daughter – Michal.

So what now?

This feud over the dancing was a culmination of a long standing history of unresolved issues. It seems that Michal had fallen ill to a problem which is common in us all. She held great bitterness towards David in her heart, and it was this same bitterness that eventually destroyed her.

However, the difficult situations she found herself in were not totally of her own doing. David had a part to play also.

There are things that happen in our lives which we have no control over. But if we allow ourselves to remain bitter, our lives are ultimately going to be destroyed.

Rather than merely feeling sorry for Michal, we also need to see her as somebody who mirrors our own fallen nature. How easily we can become bitter at the world.

How quickly we fall into the pattern of selfcenteredness, and the ‘woe-is-me’ mentality.

Instead of allowing life’s unexpected turns to grow us, we allow them to embitter and stunt us.

Bitterness does not change the situation; it only drains life from you.

Michal, daughter of Saul, understandably had her grievances against David. However, she also allowed these grievances to become very large problems. Eventually, she could no longer contain her bitterness. So it destroyed her, taking what was left of her marriage with it.

Michal’s barrenness was probably more due to her estrangement from David, not that she was stricken by God. The text does not explicitly state that God “closed her womb”, only that she was barren from that day. As merely one of the wives in David’s harem, it is unlikely that Michal would have contact with David on a regular basis.

I don’t want to end up like Michal, alienated from the world because of her own bitterness. Maybe we all need to take a lesson from her life. This Christmas, don’t put on a show. Be real about your pain, and face up to some very hard truths.

Maybe try and deal with some of your bitterness towards your family, instead of hiding it.

Otherwise you could end up just like Michal; bitter and alone. So what are you going to do with your bitterness? Hide it or deal with it? It’s your choice.

Sources: Adam Clarke’s commentary on the Bible Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament (http://www.studylight.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book =2sa&chapter=006) accessed 3/10/2012 Married men can’t dance (http://www.valueplaza.com/Bible/102Samuel06%2716-23-Can%27tDance.pdf) accessed 3/10/12 38

Ring the Bell Ring the bell that still can ring forget the perfect offering there's a crack in everything that's the way the light gets in�

Leonard Cohen

The bells chime, their voices in choirful coloured notes in chordant hues.

This is not the tolling of death’s dark hand or beacon peal or warning clang.

This, this is celebration; gold frankincense and myrrh quavering joyous in accent song.

This, this is jubilee wondrous star resonance in the melody of night.

And, as once in royal bleak winter, when faithful herald angels sang to watchful shepherds in a silent night, the realms of glory again ding dong their merriance.

~ by Keith Wallis

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The Weaver’s Poem My Life is but a weaving between my Lord and me; I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow And I, in foolish pride, Forget He sees the upper, And I the under side.

Not ‘til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly, Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver's skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives His very best to those Who leave the choice with Him. ~ Author Unknown

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“Pawpaw’s Rich”

by Sharon Patterson

It was one of those rare, naturally teachable moments, not just for our grandson, but for our entire family. We were all in the kitchen preparing to serve lunch. Both our daughter-in-laws were busy doing all the little things it takes to get our five grandchildren ready to sit down to eat Christmas lunch. The grandchildren range in age from 15 months to 13 years so that means preparing everything from sippy cups to picky eaters’ requests for what has not been prepared. Pizza is always a favorite request though I explained that would not be on today’s menu.

I always decorate my table early in December for a breakfast I have for my close friends, a tradition for the past fifteen years. Following the breakfast, I replace the name cards with the ones for each member of the family and leave everything decorated until our Christmas dinner together. I love making everyone feel special so I put out the best china and crystal. It is a great contrast to the paper plates and plastic cups we normally put out when serving one of our hurried food fests.

“Joshua, you are right, Pawpaw and Grannah are rich, not because we have gold forks and spoons, but because we have great gifts from God…an incredible family and you five wonderful grandchildren.”

Our oldest son helped the little ones find their marked places. It was quite a noisy affair with cousins who had not seen each other in a few months all talking at the same time. I had my head in the fridge, getting out some milk, when I heard, “We want food, we want food!” I looked up to find four of the youngest ones with fork and knife in hand beating them up and down on the decorated table. Our son began gathering the crystal glasses and the knives and forks, saying, “I don’t think we better leave these on the table!”

Suddenly our seven year old grandson Joshua yells out, “Pawpaw, you and Grannah are rich!” We all stopped what we were doing at the declaration. “Why do you say that?” my husband asked. “Because Pawpaw, you and Grannah have gold forks and spoons. You must be rich!”

Once we had our round of laughter, Pawpaw seized the moment to tell him that the tableware was only plated, not real gold. Then he added, “Joshua, you are right, Pawpaw and Grannah are rich, not because we have gold forks and spoons, but because we have great gifts from God…an incredible family and you five wonderful grandchildren.”

We replaced the gold flatware and china with paper plates and plastic cups. Then, we clasped hands, and thanked God for how truly rich in blessings we are.

Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years.

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On a Quest for Christ

by Lisa Aré Wulf Book Review by Daphne Tarango Lisa Aré Wulf’s On a Quest for Christ: Tracing the Footsteps of Your Spiritual Journey is a thought-provoking 30-day devotional for Christians interested in documenting the key events in their lives, including their decision for Christ.

Lisa shares snippets of her story in each of the devotionals, encouraging readers to uncover their own sacred journey in a workbook style format. Readers can reflect on how different life events have influenced them, taking notes along the way.

Each devotional closes with a “Give it to God” prayer and an opportunity for the reader to write a prayer to God, unique to his or her own life. At the end of the 30-day devotional, readers are empowered and encouraged to create their very own Christ Quest Time Map, highlighting milestones for important events or achievements, breakthroughs or significant insight, God moments or spiritual encounters, and times of uncertainty or struggle.

I felt Lisa’s loving, calm, and soothing voice as I read the devotionals. Documenting our life stories can be intimidating, but Lisa gently and prayerfully leads readers on the journey. She tells stories that related to my life —as it would for many others. Her carefully-crafted prayers show her sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the delicacy of each person’s sacred journey.

On a Quest for Christ is a great tool to help readers leave a legacy of their faith journey to children and grandchildren. It is also a great resource for taking inventory of a person’s life, as is required in many 12-step recovery group programs. On a Quest for Christ can be used by a single reader, one-to-one mentoring, or in a small group format.

I highly recommend Lisa Aré Wulf’s On a Quest for Christ: Tracing the Footsteps of Your Spiritual Journey for any believer.

For more information on Lisa, visit her blog, One Woman Sanctuary. If you would like to read more reviews of On a Quest for Christ--and to purchase a copy, visit Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

www.onewomansanctuary.com 42

Ask Beth

by Beth Brubaker

Dear Beth, Right after Christmas there is hardly any room in the kids' bedrooms because of all the gifts as well as their regular toys. There's too much stuff! What can I do?

Present Pandemonium Dear Present, Your best bet is to de-clutter and donate! Since most children are off between Christmas and New Years, this would be the best time to sort through the mess and see what they will actually play with.

Stage One: Have them clear out their rooms, if possible. If not, have them fill a trash bag with their toys- assure them you're not tossing everything out- and go through the bag. Toss only those toys that are broken or have missing pieces. Keep doing this until all the toys are sorted. See what's left, then go to the next step.

Stage Two: Get a donate bag or box and start filling it with toys they no longer play with. If your kids are a little older, have them pick and choose themselves.

Explain that there are many kids that didn't get anything for Christmas, and they can bless other kids with these toys. Be sure that the moment the bag/box is filled, it goes into the car (or thrift store if one is nearby) for donations. Out of sight, out of mind! If there are still too many toys, go to the next step.

Stage Three: This is the hardest step, because kids don't like to give up a lot of their toys, especially since they were just given new ones! Give them a limit as to how many toys they can keep (my son's Hot Wheels set counts as one big toy, as well as my daughter's My Little Pony collection), and let them pick out what toys they want most. The rest get packed into the car and donated as soon as possible.

I was surprised that the kids actually felt better afterwards! They were giving to someone in need (we had donated to both thrift stores and homeless shelters), and they fought less because they weren't stressed from all the clutter! Less clutter, cleaner rooms and a lot less bickering. That's always good!

As for next year? Whether the presents were from you or from family, it might not be a bad thing to stem the tide of gifts next year. Ask relatives to get just one gift (or chip in for something big), or ask for a gift card instead so the child can go shopping with you when you have some control over the purchases. That should keep the clutter to a minimum!

Enjoy being clutter-free!

Beth 43

Here’s another sweet and simple Christmas craft!

Shimmering Button Wreath Ornaments There’s just something about buttons that we all love! Perhaps it is because they are small, and shiny, and come in so many different designs and colors. At our house, we have jars and jars of vintage buttons, buttons that have been rescued from a favorite dress or jacket that was just too worn out even to give away, and brand-new buttons on bright white cards that were purchased for some longforgotten sewing project. Buttons, buttons, and more buttons . . . . and so many fun, creative ideas for using them!

This cute wreath ornament can be made with buttons of any color and then spray painted silver or gold, blue or white, red or green. Or, it would also be fun just to create these little wreath ornaments with a variety of different colors, patchwork-style. This Christmas craft is so simple that you can create your button wreaths with kids of all ages!

What you need: * Lots of assorted buttons * Heavy cardstock or cardboard * Metallic spray paint in your choice of colors * Craft glue * Scissors and / or Exacto knife * Assorted gems, charms, ribbons, beads Let’s make it!

Step #1: Cut out a circle (approximately 3 ½”) from card stock or cardboard for each wreath ornament Step #2: Spray paint the front and back of each cardboard circle either gold or silver (unless you will be painting all of the buttons once glued onto the wreath, then skip Step #2 and replace with Step #5) Step #3: Arrange buttons in a circle around the outside perimeter of the circle, placing larger, flat buttons on the bottom and smaller, decorative buttons on top.

Step 4: Glue securely in place and let dry overnight Step 5: Spray paint the completed wreath with your choice of festive color Step 6: Glue a ribbon loop on the back of each wreath to hang on the Christmas tree TIP: Make several button wreath ornaments, either in a variety of colors, or all in one color to decorate your Christmas tree. Find more fun Christmas craft ideas at www.allthingschristmas.com 44

Winter Snow Fudge from the kitchen of Amanda Stephan Even if you don’t have lots of sweets during the rest of the year, Christmas seems to be the time when a few sweet treats are just part of the season.

Here is a simple recipe to make this delicious and beautiful Winter Snow Fudge to delight friends and family of all ages!

What you need: * 4 C confectioner's sugar * 1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature * 1 1/2 tsp vanilla * 1 (12 oz) pkg. white chocolate, chopped * 3/4 C walnuts, chopped Let’s make it!

Step #1: Place the sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add cream cheese and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until very smooth, about 3 minutes.

Step #2: Place the chocolate in a double boiler. Bring the water of the boiler to a simmer. Melt the chocolate, stirring constantly, until chocolate has completely melted and is a smooth consistency.

Remove from heat and allow to cool 1 minute.

Step #3: Fold the chocolate into the sugar mixture. Add the walnuts and mix until well combined.

Step #4: Spread the mixture evenly into a square baking pan lined with wax paper or aluminum foil.

Step #5: Refrigerate at least one hour or until the fudge becomes firm.

Yield: 18 pieces TIP: Don’t have a double boiler? Use two sauce pans instead. Using bottom pan that is slightly larger than the top, place enough water in the bottom pan to not quite reach the bottom of the top pan when it’s resting inside the other. Easy peasy!

A BooksByAmanda.com Recipe www.booksbyamanda.com

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Candy Cane Bark from the kitchen of Katherine’s Corner Some people call it candy cane or peppermint bark, others call it peppermint brittle, whatever you call it, I know you’ll call it yummy! Here are two recipes I hope you’ll enjoy making this holiday season. Great to fill holiday tins with and give to friends and neighbors, too.

What you need: * 6 oz. chocolate-flavor candy coating (chopped) * 3 oz. milk chocolate bar (chopped) * 6 oz. vanilla-flavor candy coating (chopped) * 3 oz. white chocolate baking squares (chopped) * 1/4 cup (about four) peppermint candy canes (crushed) * Baking sheet (should accommodate a 10 x 8 rectangle) * Foil * 2 Small saucepans (thick bottomed) or double boilers * Spatula Before You Start Line a large baking sheet with foil.

Let’s Make It! In a small saucepan or double boiler, melt chocolate-flavor candy coating and milk chocolate bar, stirring over low heat until smooth. Pour onto baking sheet and spread into a 10×8-inch rectangle; set aside. In another saucepan or double boiler, melt vanilla-flavor candy coating and white chocolate baking squares, stirring over low heat until smooth. Slowly pour white mixture over chocolate mixture on baking sheet. With a thin spatula, swirls white candy mixture into chocolate mixture. Shake baking sheet gently for even thickness. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Chill in refrigerator 30 minutes or until firm. Use foil to lift candy from baking sheet; break candy into pieces.

Katie’s Tid Bits *Try substituting milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and/or white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter for candy coating.

Makes 1-1/4 pounds. Store in air tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Or try this simpler recipe using white chocolate…..

What You Need * 12 large candy canes * 2 Lbs white chocolate (chopped into 1/2-inch pieces) * 1/2 tsp peppermint oil * Large baking sheet (11x 17 works well) * Parchment paper * Knife or meat tenderizer and cutting board * Double Boiler Before You Start Line the baking sheet with parchment; set aside.

Let’s Make It! Using a chef’s knife or meat tenderizer, cut or smash candy canes into 1/4″ pieces. In the top of a double boiler, melt white chocolate, stirring constantly. Remove from heat as soon as the chocolate is melted. Stir candy cane and peppermint oil into the chocolate. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet; spread evenly. Refrigerate until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Break into pieces, and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

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Tickets for the Show: Tips on Taking Young Children to Performing Arts Events

by Heather King Recently, I attempted a sanity-defying feat---I took my daughters and three of their friends to a performance of The Nutcracker….by myself! Because my husband and I are so passionate about music and theater, we want to share this passion with our children, even when they are still young. Our kids are not perfect audience members yet by any means, but they are learning. As long as we maintain reasonable expectations and follow a few helpful tips, we have learned how to make most performances successful events for the whole family.

Make sure your expectations are reasonable. Even the best behaved children can only sit still for a limited amount of time. How long that may be varies with each child, so start with shorter programs or consider going home during the intermission if your child cannot sit any longer. You want their first experiences of the arts to be a success, something they enjoy instead of something they dread.

Discuss what they are going to see ahead of time. In preparation for The Nutcracker, we read books about the ballet, visited web sites with photos from the productions, listened to some of the music and talked about the pictures and scenes we imagine when we hear the songs. Before concerts, I ask my daughters, “What instruments do you think you’ll see today?” When we attend a play, I explain the story in advance and describe some of the characters they will see.

Establish the basic rules and make them clear from the beginning. Keep the rules as simple as possible and repeat them often before you head inside for the show. Here are some of ours: • •

•

Inside voice: We practice yelling to show off our “outside voices” and whispering to show off our “inside voices” when we’re at home.

Bathroom breaks: Try to visit the bathroom before the show starts and explain that the intermission is the time to go to the bathroom again. You might at least save yourself a trip or two to the restroom during the show.

Dress appropriately: For outdoor concerts, casual dress is fine. When we are attending an indoor event, however, I have my daughters dress in nicer “church” clothes. They need to respect the formality of the event by wearing clothes that are appropriate to the occasion.

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Choose the venue: Many community organizations offer free and/or inexpensive shows specifically for families. Check out the website for your town to see what events are showcased on the community calendar. Some communities have free outdoor concerts during the summer. Our local community theater group sponsors productions for kids to watch and even participate in, hopefully inspiring a love for the theater in the younger generation.

You can also attend high school band and/or choral concerts and drama productions. They often offer a kid-friendly environment with free or inexpensive performances.

Pack a bag. We have “quiet” activity bags that we keep packed with coloring pages, a doll, stickers, a book, and other activities to keep little hands busy without being too loud. We only bring these bags out during special events, so the activities remain fresh and interesting.

Talk to them about the performance afterwards. The best part of attending performances with your children is hearing their thoughts about the show. I learned that my three-year-old’s favorite instrument is the xylophone of all things! I’ve also heard impersonations of trumpets, descriptions of what pictures or scenarios the music reminded them of, and concern for the feelings of the characters on stage---all from girls under five years old. You may be amazed at how much your children think about what they hear and see.

Teaching young children how to appreciate the arts and how to behave during performances takes effort. With time, though, you can share a passion with the arts with your kids, encouraging them to love beauty, value creativity, and express thoughts about life.

After all, part of God’s nature as the Creator of the universe is His love of aesthetics. His designs are breathtakingly beautiful and by teaching our children to appreciate beauty and creativity, we are also teaching them a wonderful part of God’s character and personality.

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‘Cause Angels Can’t Sing

by Elizabeth Baker 10 Booklets and 10 Gift Envelopes for only $20 Looking for the perfect group gift at a price you can afford? 'Cause Angels Can't Sing, may be the solution! These 38 pages of holiday fiction will make even the Grinch smile as the true meaning of Christmas unfolds in modern settings with characters you can believe.

Teachers and co-workers, the clerk you've been praying for and members of your Bible study group will all appreciate this thoughtful remembrance that is more than a card. View the product, read the stories and order in time for the holidays by visiting www.elizabethbakerbooks.com. As a bonus, you can receive a $5 discount by entering the code HoHoHo at checkout!

Enter the Happy Happy Holidays Giveaway 2012 at Katherine’s Corner! www.katherinescorner.com 49

The Greatest Gift

by Debra Elliott “...And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done , that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying , Behold , a virgin shall be with child , and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is , God with us...� Matthew 1:21-23 KJV Christmas. When we think of Christmas, some of the first things that probably pop into our heads are presents. I know for my seven-year-old grandson, presents are the first thing on his mind during the Christmas season. Unfortunately, the true meaning of Christmas has become less focused on the Savior and more on commercialism.

For many Christians, Christmas has become materialistic instead of spiritualistic. It is more about getting instead of giving. We tend to forget we've already received the greatest gift. On that first Christmas morning over two-thousand years ago, we received a life-time gift from our Heavenly Father.

The Lord brought forth His greatest gift. Our gift was not wrapped in gold and silver, but in swaddling clothing. The tiny babe who lay in the manger was our gift of salvation. He didn't cost an exorbitant amount, but paid the ultimate price for being given to us.

Can you think of a better gift to receive on Christmas morning? I know I can't! That precious gift was delivered on Earth as a reminder. When God gave us Jesus, He made a promise to be with us always .

The Lord gave us many gifts to show how much He loved us. He gave us the gift of life. He gave us the gift of peace. But the greatest gift He gave was his Son. When He placed his Son on Earth that long ago first Christmas, He did so knowing that one day Jesus would pay for our sins. God loves us so much that He gave his only begotten Son. When you opened your presents on Christmas morning, did you think about what you might receive, instead of what you have already received? Did you think about the commercialism, instead of the spiritualism? Christmas is only about one price. It's about the price Jesus paid so we could live. It's about the greatest gift we could ever get. Christmas is about Emmanuel.

This Christmas Season, when you celebrate with your family and friends, what will your greatest gift be?

I know the greatest gift I will receive and already have received on Christmas (and today on my birthday) is my Savior (God's Son).

Debra Elliott is a Christian author whose works include two published collections of poetry. Her non-fiction works appear in several Christian anthologies. Debra currently resides in Alabama with here family and two very spoiled pets.

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The Last Gift

by Sharon Patterson I can hardly wait for my two married sons, their wives, and our grandchildren to arrive at the house to join the three of us for Christmas. My third son, Joseph, is almost as anxious as my husband and I. After all, he helped my husband get the tree down from the attic, carried boxes of outside lights to the yard, and aided me with the thousand other details and errands his exuberant holiday decorating mother needed help with.

Everything is ready…the stockings which I once laid across the back of the couch now stretch across the living room chairs as well. Our bounty of grandchildren has expanded from three to five in just a year and a half. Last Christmas, seven month old Corby shared his first Christmas at Grannah and Paw-Paw’s. This year, three month old Gavin will have his first one with us.

That also means we will have three older elves to pass out gifts. Garrett will definitely still be the lead elf at age twelve, although his six-year old cousin Joshua might have a word or two about that. Well, on second thought, four year old Trinity Grace may ramrod the whole thing! I chuckle out loud at the thought of that scene yet to be played out.

I sneak another look out the front window in anticipation of the hugs and kisses soon to be exchanged as the family begins to arrive.

There are cars to unload, baby bags and luggage to cart upstairs and packages to be deposited under the tree.

Then, of course, we must pause to look at each grandchild’s “special” ornament bought especially for their first Christmas.

The older grandchildren will search to find his and hers and then turn attention to locate the newest belonging to baby Gavin.

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I will grin and stand near where it is on the tree. I can’t help it…surprises have a short shelf-life with me. I love to give hints - a leftover from my teaching days and the infamous pop-quizzes I was noted for. One thing my students counted on were the added hints given to help jog their memories.

Speaking of surprises, I have a special one to announce tomorrow morning after we gather in our selected places in the living room, hot chocolate in hand, to read the Christmas story from Luke 2. It is always the first gift we share at our home. Once again, reviewing the centuries’ old story together, we un-wrap God’s greatest gift-His Son, Jesus!

Suddenly, I hear car doors open and familiar voices at the door. “Honey,” I yell, “hurry, the family is here!” Our wonderful Christmas excitement begins. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s special surprise. I giggle knowing I must not give too many hints.

Reading the last sentence in the Christmas story, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill to man” I seize the moment to deliver my saved secret. “Before you elves pass out the gifts… hold on just a minute, Garrett!” I want you all to know that there will be one last gift that is not under the tree. It is the most precious gift this year.

It is very costly, and will last a lifetime. It is one gift, but you can each have it if you find it. When you find it, you must share it with everyone else. Now, that is all the hints I will give. Go ahead, elves, pass out the gifts.”

I announce breakfast as the children sit enthralled in their gifts…some of which Paw-Paw and our sons are putting together…without reading the instructions. As we sit at the table, Trinity is the first to remind everyone of “the last gift” hunt. “Grannah, where do I begin to look?” The others chimed in, “Yeah, give us another hint!”

“Okay,” I give in, “one more clue! You begin inside.”

“Inside the house?” Joshua asks. “No, it is a smaller place than that,” I tell them. Suddenly, Garrett’s face lights up. “I know where we need to look! In our hearts, right, Grannah?”

Now, everyone is getting it. (Too many clues after all!)

But then, I want everyone to find it. “It’s love, isn’t it Grannah? It lasts a lifetime; we can each have it; and you want us to share it with everyone here.

“You are all geniuses”, I shout. “Shall we begin sharing this last gift by passing it around and remembering it all year long?” I am so glad we shared the “last gift” last!

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Hello, We’re the Fuzzwippers

by Marilynn Halas Book review by Sarah Johnson My four-year-old daughter was very excited to sit down and read about the Fuzzwippers. Before we could get comfy on the couch, she was already flipping pages and asking about the cute little characters.

We were both enchanted with the story of the Fuzzwippers and their travels from near and far, sharing their special message with their very own friends!

Hello, We’re the Fuzzwippers communicates beautiful lessons of unconditional love and self worth, which is something I believe every child needs to be reminded of frequently. Author Marilynn Halas does an amazing job captivating her young audience with the fun-filled adventures of the Fuzzwippers.

The illustrations by Jeremy Provost were also exceptional in the way he captured the lovable fuzzy characters and their unique personalities. My four-year-old enjoyed both the story and the brightly drawn illustrations. This is definitely a story to read again and again!

We really enjoyed Hello, We’re the Fuzzwippers and we can’t wait to follow them on more of their amazing journeys. This is a great read for any family with young children.

Learn more about these cute little creatures at http://4sunflowersmedia.com/fuzzwippers/index.html

Coming in January!

The next chapter in

The Happy Housewife

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

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

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Christmas Tree Memories

by Gloria Doty Several summers past, I purchased a large stone fountain to be used on my enclosed front porch.

Every fall, I drained the water so it wouldn’t freeze and crack my fountain.

Last fall, I made the decision to move the fountain inside to a corner of my living room, so I could enjoy it year-round.

That was a great decision and I did enjoy it until it was time to think about decorating for Christmas.

Where in the world was I going to put the 7ft.

Christmas tree?

I certainly wasn’t going to move the fountain back out to the porch, because moving that thing is no small task: it weighs about 150 pounds.

I sat in my living room and mentally rearranged the furniture, to no avail. I explored all options, even considering putting the tree on the front porch where we could see it through the picture window.

I discarded that idea, but I simply could not envision how the tree, which is not only tall, but also has large branches, was going to fit in the living room.

Finally, in desperation, I suggested that we just not have a tree that year. After all, there would be many other decorations.

Did we absolutely have to put the tree up? My mind returned to my first Christmas as a wife and mother, many years ago.

My husband and I lived in a 10 x 50 mobile home, we had our first baby on December 17, and we had no money. I remembered asking if there was any extra money for a tree, even a Charlie Brown tree, but there wasn’t.

That was my first Christmas away from my parents’ home and I had never, in my entire life, spent a Christmas without a decorated tree. I know it sounds childish, but it was so important to me.

We brought our new baby boy home and when I walked in the door of that little mobile home, the first thing I saw was a tree with lights and ornaments! I was amazed and definitely surprised, and by the look on my husband’s face, he was, too.

My parents had heard me express my disappointment at not having a tree and decided to buy a short little tree and use some of their extra lights and ornaments.

That was the best gift they could have given me! I still have those ornaments that were my parents and I replay that scenario every year when I hang them on my tree. And every year, it brings tears to my eyes.

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There have been other ‘tree stories’ over the years; the one with a trunk that was so misshapen, it had to be tied to the window frame to keep it upright, and the one that a puppy pulled over, breaking half the ornaments.

There were the trees we dug so they could be planted in the yard later, and a family Christmas spent in the mountains of Tennessee, with a tree hauled up the mountain and decorated with cutout paper ornaments.

How could I possibly consider not having a tree?

There had to be a way. I squeezed some furniture pieces together, even closer than they had been and made a space in the corner of the room.

When I brought the tree in from the garage, I laughed, because I always forget just how big around this tree actually is. The old adage, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ is true.

I decided that if the tree was going to be in a corner, I wouldn’t put the back branches in. That way, it could be closer to the walls.

(Obviously, I have had this tree for a while; I have to put the branches in the holes by hand). Once it was decorated, it was beautiful, even if it was missing all of the back branches.

I realize that Christmas is about so much more than a tree and it can definitely be celebrated without a tree, but a Christmas tree, however small or bent is very much a part of the holiday traditions I cherish.

Gloria Doty: I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 13. I have owned a catering business and a Grade “A” goat dairy. I have managed a restaurant, worked in retail and was Dir. of Children’s’ Ministries for a large church for 10 years.

I have been writing since I was in third grade. I currently write 2 blogs about my youngest daughter, Kalisha, and our journey together through the world of mild mental retardation, autism and Aspergers.

One blog is written for www.MOMS.FortWayne.com and is titled “Not Different Enough.” I write freelance articles for magazines and am a contributor to two devotional publications: Living the Gospel Life and Hope-Full Living. I do not believe it is possible to make it through a day without faith and a sense of humor, even in the darkest times and I try to always reflect that in my writing.

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Children of Israel Block #15 Bible Block Wedding Sampler Sew-Along with Laura Brandt This is another block that is easier to make than it first appears. It also lends itself to strip piecing which can make some of the construction go faster. I’ve chosen to do this block in white (Fabric 1), orange (Fabric 2) and red (Fabric 3).

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

Step 1 – cut your fabric. Again, it’s a good idea to carefully starch your pieces after you’ve cut them out. I find the fabric is easier to work with and doesn’t distort as readily.

From the photo below: Fabric 1 (white): cut four Template A triangles.

Fabric 1 (white): cut eight Template B is triangles.

Fabric 1 (white): cut four Template D rectangles.

Fabric 1 (white): cut one Template F square.

Fabric 2 (orange): cut four Template C squares.

Fabric 2 (orange): cut eight Template D rectangles.

Fabric 3 (red): cut four Template E rectangles.

Step 2 – make your four large corner triangles from Templates A, B and E.

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Sew a Template B triangle to each end of a Template E rectangle, as shown. Then sew a larger Template A triangle to the top of the B/E strip you just made.

Repeat with your remaining A, B and E template pieces to make three more large triangles. You’ll have four in total.

Step 3 – sew your Fabric 1 and Fabric 2 Template D strips together into four rectangles.

Step 4 – add a Template C square to each end of two of your three-strip Template D rectangles.

Step 5 – add your two remaining three-strip Template D rectangles to opposite sides of your Template F centre square.

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Step 6 – sew your large centre square together. Be careful with your seam alignment.

Step 7 – position your newly formed square “on point” and sew your four large A, B, E corner triangles to each edge. Again, be careful with your seam alignment.

You want your Template E rectangles and your three-strip Template D rectangles to align.

You are done!

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Children of Israel Block #15 Bible Block Wedding Sampler Sew-Along with Laura Brandt Cutting Templates

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Children of Israel Block #15 Bible Block Wedding Sampler Sew-Along with Laura Brandt Cutting Templates

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Wacky Wordies Word Puzzle

by Beth Brubaker See if you can guess the sayings that are represented by the clues !

Answer Key on page 90

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Footprints in the Mud Too Much to Bring, Not Enough Bling!

By Beth Brubaker

Every year the family gets bigger and there seems to be a lot more kids on the list that aren't my own.

Nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, friends and their kids, grandchildren (though I'm not even close to being there yet!), the list goes on and on.

But my bank account doesn't.

'Family' Presents. Get one gift that can be utilized by the entire family. A nice quality lap blanket, a photo collage for their wall, a set of personalized mugs - something that will be used in the house and appreciated by all who live there. One gift covers everyone!

Now what? There's the dilemma that someone will be offended if they or their children don't get something for Christmas, or if one cousin gets something, then they should all get something - it doesn't matter that there are so many of them even Oprah would have financial issues!

Baked Gifts. Sometimes it just doesn't work unless everyone gets something, so baked goods are the best way to satiate the masses!

Bake them yourself, or if you can't bake, 'hire' friends to do it for you (for a little extra Christmas spending money), then all you have to do is bag 'em, tag 'em, and give them away!

So what should we do? Here are a few ideas that will help you sort through the trash and find the gifts!

Pollyanna. Yes, the old standby- but it still works!

All you need to do is have everyone put their name in with a list of three things they want within a specified budget. Names are shuffled and picked, and now you only have to buy one gift. An oldie but a goodie!

Gift bags for the kids. If there are a good number of children, don't buy individual gifts. Get Christmas theme lunch bags and fill them with small toys and goodies from the dollar store!

Most dollar stores have multi packs of toys and items for birthday parties (catcha - ball games, hard candies, stickers, etc), and some food items are individually wrapped and come in six-to-eight packs.

Just put one of each item into a bag (anywhere from 25 different items per bag) and every child can have something fun to open - and it doesn't cost you a small fortune!

You can even do this online - just list everyone who responded in order, then tell everyone via email to pick three numbers from one to however many people you have listed (like 1 to 13).

(The reason you ask for three numbers is in case someone picks the same number as someone else - you can use the second or third number if need be.) Then email each individual with their Pollyanna choice!

Of course, if all else fails, go book a cheap cabin in the mountains and hide until the holidays are over!

God Bless Dear Readers, and I hope you have the best Christmas and New Year ever!

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

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

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

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

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Gingerbread House Winter Village Christmas Craft

by Vintage Mama Many years ago we had an Advent calendar for our children that was created in the shape of a Victorian church, with little windows and doors that would open to reveal a Scripture verse telling the story of the Nativity. We set the calendar in the middle of our dining room table, and every evening at supper time, the children would take turns opening the next door or window.

Another year we started a collection of lighted Victorian cottages to line our fireplace mantle, surrounded by “snow” and little street lights that brought a touch of nostalgia to our home during the holidays. Those little cottages were packed up every year after Christmas and stored with all the other holiday decorations. We much have lost them somewhere along the way, perhaps when we moved to another state for our Daddy’s job a few years ago, because they don’t seem to be with our Christmas decorations anymore.

The other tradition that has been carried on with all of our children is the annual baking and making of the gingerbread house. Some years we have made just one large gingerbread house, decorated with brightly colored candies, gum drops, jelly beans, and various other festive embellishents . . . all edible, of course! One year, we made our gingerbread house in the evening, and when we got up in the morning, all of those pretty candy decorations had disappeared! I guess one of our little elves couldn’t resist popping them all in her tiny mouth.

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Other years, we have created several small gingerbread houses, typically made out of graham crackers and lots and lots of sugary-sweet frosting. Once the little houses were complete, we arranged them on a large cookie tin and surrounded them with fluffy cotton (with some silver glitter sprinkled liberally all around!) and even added some tiny Christmas trees and snowmen.

This year, as I was thinking about what we could make to decorate for the holidays, I remembered that fold-out Victorian advent calendar with its little windows and doors, and then I thought about the lighted cottages that used to adorn our mantle every Christmas, and then I remembered the gingerbread houses, and decided to try something new this year! We created this little village of fold-out “gingerbread” colored cottages with tiny doors and windows that open. With a bit of vellum paper glued behind the doors and windows (with tiny polka dots that look a bit like falling snow!), and a string of lights tucked under each house, we have a simple but beautiful winter scene in our living room this year.

This project is so easy to do, inexpensive, and perfect to make with kids of all ages. These little cottages could be decorated like a traditional gingerbread house, or they could be made from white or ivory colored card stock for a more elegant look. And the best part of all, is you can fold them back up after the holidays and store them flat in an envelope for next year. Or, if you would like to make a few and mail them to someone special, you can just pop them in an envelope and drop them at the post office. The perfect holiday craft project! Give it a try and send us pictures of your finished Gingerbread House Winter Village!

What you need: * 2 sheets of cardstock (8 ½” X 11”) for each gingerbread house * 1 sheet of translucent vellum paper (with or without design) for each gingerbread house * Scissors * Glue * Exacto knife (or any craft knife with a very sharp blade for cutting out the doors and windows) * Decorative scrapbook scissors (for cutting the edges of the roof) * Pattern for gingerbread houses (see pages 87 – 89) Let’s make it!

Step #1: Copy the pattern for one of the gingerbread house designs onto cardstock. You can either print it directly onto cardstock and / or use a white cardstock copy of the pattern to trace onto colored cardstock.

Step #2: Cut out the doors and windows on pattern and then trace those cutting lines onto the colored cardstock.

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Step #3: Very carefully cut out the doors and windows on colored cardstock. BE VERY CAREFUL to cut only the inside, top, and bottom of doors or windows that have “shutters” that open and close. All other windows and doors can be cut out completely.

Step #4: When all doors and windows have been cut and folded open, trace the pattern onto the other sheet of colored cardstock to match the front of the gingerbread house.

The back does not need to have the doors and windows cut out unless you will be displaying them where all sides can be seen.

Step #5: Carefully cut the slits on the sides opposite the tabs. Using the edge of a table knife or the edge of scissor handles, very carefully fold the sides along the lines below the roof lines on the front and back of each gingerbread house.

Step #6: When the sides have been folded, cut a sheet of translucent vellum paper to fit inside the front of your gingerbread house and glue in place. When the glue is dry, trim off the excess paper around the roof line.

Step #7: Insert the tabs from the front of the gingerbread house into the slits on the back of the gingerbread house; then insert the tabs from the back of the house into the slits on the front of the house to make the “walls” of your gingerbread house. You can tape the tabs in place if necessary.

Step 8: After all of your gingerbread houses have been completed, arrange them on a table top or mantle with fluffy cotton all around and tiny white lights under each cottage to shine out through the doors and windows.

Enjoy your beautiful holiday display, and share it with your friends and family!

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Gingerbread House Winter Village Craft

by Vintage Mama 68

Santa's Gifts versus God's Grace

by Heather King

The song tells us that Santa is “making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.” In the months before Christmas, many parents use that as a behavior incentive for their kids. “You have to be good for Santa to come!”

Praise God that Christ doesn’t dole out salvation or blessing based on whether or not we were “naughty” or “nice” this year. Santa’s “gifts” aren’t gifts at all; they’re simply rewards for good behavior.

But, salvation---that is a true gift. It is unearned and undeserved. Paul tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8 (NIV).

God didn’t wait for us to be good enough to send His Son to be born in the flesh in the humblest of forms in a stinky stable in the small town of Bethlehem. Christ came into the midst of our sin and depravity and gave Himself for us anyway.

That’s grace.

Sometimes, though, it’s easy for me to fall into a “Santa mentality” in my Christian walk. I begin to see God’s blessings to me as rewards for my behavior. I “deserve” a job, a home, a good marriage, well-behaved kids, ministry success, etc.

“God didn’t wait for us to be good enough to send His Son to be born in the flesh in the humblest of forms in a stinky stable in the small town of Bethlehem.

Christ came into the midst of our sin and depravity and gave Himself for us anyway.”

Scripture does tell us that “a man reaps what he sows” Galatians 6:7 (NIV). So, if we want a good marriage or a successful career, we have to make wise choices while we are dating or in school.

And yet, we can do everything right and still experience hardship and loss. God never promises us in Scripture that the Christian life will be easy or that the American Dream is somehow a package deal that comes with salvation.

Instead, Christ is frank with us. He says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (NIV).

Our promise isn’t that we’ll escape trouble in this life; our promise is that Christ will never abandon us as we go through that trouble.

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Honestly, grace is something I’ve often struggled to understand as a church girl, born and raised. While I’ve been willing to extend grace to others, it’s been a struggle to receive grace for my own mistakes and certainly to extend grace to myself.

Yet, when I surveyed God’s gifts to me at Thanksgiving this year, I was astounded by God’s grace in my life. I married a man whose family tree is simple to chart because people married and stayed married.

My family tree is as complicated as they come. I have an extended family history awash with various addictions and forms of abuse. Statistics say I should have married an alcoholic (or be one myself) and certainly will end up divorced.

And yet, I can thank God for the blessing of my incredible marriage to a Godly man, the gift of my children, who are growing in their faith at a young age, and the opportunity to minister to others. It is not because I deserve any of these things.

Like David, I can say that God “lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him” Psalm 40:2-3 (NIV).

The greatest blessings in my life aren’t things I’ve earned. They are truly gifts of grace from a God who rescued me.

As you’re finishing your Christmas shopping this year, wrapping those gifts, and even as you open the presents under the tree, please remember God’s gracious gifts to you.

“After all, no one could ever be good enough to earn a place on the “nice list.” We couldn’t be kind enough, patient enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or hardworking enough to deserve what God has given to us. Yet He gives it to us anyway.”

Salvation and your life’s blessings aren’t earned rewards for staying off some magical “naughty list.”

After all, no one could ever be good enough to earn a place on the “nice list.” We couldn’t be kind enough, patient enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or hard-working enough to deserve what God has given to us. Yet He gives it to us anyway.

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV).

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Visit Sharmelle’s Graphic Haven for beautiful graphic designs to decorate your blog or website for the holidays!

The Ruby for Women community has a wide variety of groups where you can connect with other Christian women and share prayer requests, recipes, craft projects, favorite books . . . . and even a group where you will discover the fun and delightful graphic designs by Sharmelle.

Please stop by Sharmelle’s Graphic Design group in the Ruby for Women community soon! www.rubyforwomen.ning.com http://rubyforwomen.ning.com/group/sharmelle-sgraphic-haven

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Ruby Pearls for December December 7 is Letter Writing Day”! Take a minute out of your busy schedule and write a note to someone special in your life.

December 17 is “Baking Cookies Day”! What a great day to spend time with the kids and family, making goodies for those you love!

December 27 is “Make Cutout Snowflake Day!”” Grab your scissors and white paper and snip away! You can even sprinkle glitter on your snowflakes and hang them in a window.

“A relationship is like a rose; the more love and support it gets, the stronger and more beautiful it becomes.” - Beth Brubaker 72

Candy Cane Fudge from the kitchen of Vintage Mama When I was a little girl, we didn't have many family traditions.

That was probably because we also didn't have very much money ;o) so my mom had to struggle and juggle just to make any kind of Christmas happen at our house.

Of course, I didn't realize that at the time, but as I grew up and observed other families and read about traditions surrounding holidays, I determined that one of the things I would bring into the lives of my children was an emphasis on family and especially on traditions that they could keep in their hearts and in their memories.

Over the years, I have collected numerous recipes for holiday foods, especially candies, cookies, and pastries. Candy Cane Fudge is one of the things that I discovered just a few years ago, and we have been making it every Christmas since!

It is so simple, quick and easy, but it is beautifully festive and makes a delightful gift for friends, neighbors, teachers, or anyone who already has everything. We make it up in single batches, because it is really the yummiest when it is fresh, and then package it up in small packages on holiday paper plates or small holiday-decorated glass dishes, wrap it in clear plastic wrap, and tie it up with a brightly colored bow with a little gift tag. Everyone we have ever given it to loves it!

If you are looking for a fun gift-giving project to do this holiday season, give this one a try! You'll love it . . . . and even though we try throughout the rest of the year to limit our sugar intake, we do splurge a bit at the holidays.

Candy Cane Fudge What you need: • • • • • • • •

2/3 cup evaporated milk 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips 2 teaspoons mint extract 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring

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Step #1: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, salt, evaporated milk, and butter, and stir until the sugar melts.

Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil stirring constantly, for five minutes.

Step #2: After five minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and mint extract.

Pour the mixture into an 8 X 8 pan that has been lined with aluminum foil or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. * Optional: Sprinkle drops of red food coloring over the top, and stir once or twice, creating red swirls. Do not over-stir; otherwise the candy will turn pink. Place in the refrigerator to set the fudge for at least one hour. * Instead of the red food coloring, I sprinkled the top of the fudge with red and white sugar crystals. You could also use crushed candy canes and sprinkle over top of the fudge.

I remember my mama telling me that "Necessity is the mother of invention," and of course when I was 8 years old I had no clue what she was talking about. But as the years have gone by, I definitely have had to figure it out on several occasions!

When we were making fudge the other day, I knew that I had some red food coloring in my kitchen, because I bought a little box of the four different colors when we made the lollipops last week. But . . . I know my little Miss Curiosity and her propensity to "figure it out" by experimentation, so after she got red food coloring all over her hands last week, I put that little box of food coloring away . . . . someplace. I hid it from the girls so I wouldn't walk in the kitchen and discover them (along with the walls, counter-tops, and floor) covered in a rainbow of colors. And then I couldn't remember where I hid it!

Still don't remember . . . . so that is when I decided to use the red and white sugar crystals, and I actually think it is much prettier than with the red swirls through it. So, there you have it! And trust me - it really is yummy!

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Christmas is More Than . . .

by Sharon L. Patterson Christmas is more than . . . . . . . . Re-tying remnant ribbons and making new bows (rescued from last year’s toss away pile of discarded holiday wrappings) for this year’s carefully chosen gifts.

You smile, knowing a couple of those extra gifts under the tree are direct results of the savings from the salvaged ribbon - a legacy tip from your mother-in-law.

Maybe your daughter-in-law, who’s favorite York Peppermints you are tucking into her stocking, will pass along that frugal tradition that leads to greater generosity, too. . . . . Tasselling the curls of your youngest grandchild’s hair that just grew out from her last scissorhappy moment; or gleefully rubbing the top of your son’s short-shaved haircut. He just got home for a couple of weeks from his deployment. You do not mind at all that your family will be celebrating Christmas on the ninth instead of the twenty-fifth. Neither does anyone else. They all worked it out because being together is the biggest gift of all this year. . . . . Or wiping sticky Snicker doodle cookie dough off your fingers on the appliquéd “Christmas Tastes Great at Grandma’s” kitchen towel your grandson handed you when he walked in the door after school the week before Christmas. It wasn’t even wrapped. “Grannah, I knew this would help you make our favorite cookies. You always need to get that sticky stuff off your hands!” Needless to say, this will be a BIGGEST batch of Snicker doodles ever!

Christmas is more than… . . . . Seeing ALL the strands of twinkling lights successfully come on as you step back to admire your creative handiwork at the end of a marathon of holiday decorating. Satisfaction pours out in happy sighs as you gaze from the tree-topper angel all the way to the bottom where the cherished handcrocheted tree skirt inherited from grandmother thirty years ago adds the perfect finish. No matter that much of it will be hidden, covered by the gifts. Its importance is not diminished at all, for it binds generations of celebration as it lies foundationally circling the tree. . . . . Peeking out the window in great anticipation for the children and grandchildren to arrive so that you can begin sharing surprises you have specifically selected for each one.

Many of them are over there under the tree. Perhaps its appearance with bulging packages and tissue-laden bags is a bit over the top for, after all, you did find the forgotten gifts purchased the day after last Christmas. . . . . Glancing at the menu guide of Christmas movies listed on the Hallmark channel, deciding which ones you just can’t miss seeing again. Maybe there will be an especially good one produced this year that will be added to your favorites.

You must write down the titles as they seem to escape the instant recall file in your memory more easily than they used to.

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. . . . Watching the story that never grows old acted out at the church Christmas pageant. Tears flow freely as you watch your granddaughter steps shyly into Mary’s role. Johnny Moore, your best friend’s grandson will play Joseph. How perfect! A quiet chuckle follows close behind the thought of “perfect” as you remember the frantic, faster than the legal speed limit trip home to get Baby Jesus your grown son left on the kitchen table as everyone scurried out the door to make it to rehearsal on time.

Christmas is more than… . . . . Memories of your own childhood Christmases sneaking in on today’s festivities through favorite traditions including familiar carols you can still hear your Aunt Sharon playing on the old upright piano whose middle “c” stuck with every stroke of her bright red polished nails on the chords; Mother’s tattered recipe cards whose writing is barely legible, especially on your favorite orange balls (oh well, no matter, you have it memorized anyway!); and photo albums with pictures you keep introducing to the grandchildren of you and your sisters. You really do intend to scan the old photos and put them on a memory stick. Maybe next year. . . . . Treasured ornaments that you fully intend to give to the grandchildren when they marry to begin their family Christmas stories on their trees. Oh yes, and the animated decorations that light up and sing; there are five of them. Each grandchild will inherit one.

Christmas is more than… . . . . The attachments to tradition, the sum of years of memories you can smell, touch, hear, see and feel. It is all we hold precious and dear in the hope of the “best” behavior in each of our loved ones gathered together this year that may have been less than stellar last year. . . . . The time of year we dare to believe for all humankind that hope and love will spread wide and far in hearts and live out in demonstration through how we treat one another. . . . . Remembrance of the time long ago when God wrapped his greatest gift to man in the womb of a young Jewish virgin named Mary.

Christmas is… . . . . The arrival… at just the right moment: announced by angels, celebrated by humble shepherds and later by foreign kings, the God-man stepped forth in time and Hope shouted to all the earth through the sweet sighs of a baby. “MORE THAN” was born and his name is Jesus.

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Aunt Ellen’s Christmas Caramels from the kitchen of Vintage Mama In my recipe card file, I have many recipes that have been handed down to me over the years from the grandmas, moms, aunts, sisters, cousins, and treasured friends. When I went through the recipe card box yesterday, I was reminded that even the box was a gift! It must be at least 30 or 35 years old, and it was given to me one Christmas by my sister-in-law.

It is a beautiful wooden box with a charming picture decoupaged on the top. That is ONE way I KNOW that it is at least 30 years old ;o) But it brings back so many memories every time I open it . . . . and I keep it right on my kitchen counter. It has always been on my kitchen counter, no matter where we have lived over those 30 years of making memories. But when I open that treasured little box, so many more memories come alive in my heart and in my mind!

This holiday season, for the first time in a couple of years, I'm really in the mood to do some holiday baking, and I want to share that with my readers who also treasure the simple, homemade joy of family, friendships, traditions and memories.

This is a recipe that I have made frequently over the years, but not nearly so often as one of my oldest and dearest friends, Auntie Ellen. Now, of course, she really isn't my children's aunt, biologically speaking . . . but we have been friends since our oldest children were babies, and that is a LONG time!

We walked with each other through some difficult days, and we celebrated together in the joyous moments that make motherhood a bittersweet gift. We've just always been there for each other, and I'm sure you have a friend or two like Ellen . . . . . no matter how long it has been since we’ve chatted over a cup of coffee, whispering and giggling like two school girls, as soon as I hear her voice, we just pick up again as if we had just finished our previous conversation a minute or two ago.

Aunt Ellen makes her Christmas Caramels every year for her entire family . . . . which always includes us, of course . .. . and she has done that for so many years, I don't even know how long this recipe has actually been a tradition in her family!

I should ask her where she got the recipe. Maybe it was one that was handed down to her from her mom, or her grandma. But the story of Aunt Ellen's Christmas Caramels in our family is that, ever since she started making these wonderful little yummy delights and giving them to us at the holidays, I knew that I needed to get the recipe from her. So, after a few years when I was looking for another great holiday recipe, I called up Aunt Ellen and she gave me the recipe. And we've been making these caramels ever since!

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Of course, I always look forward to getting Aunt Ellen's caramels, because they are so much better than mine ;o) But we keep practicing, and one day ours might be almost as good as hers!

Aunt Ellen’s Christmas Caramels What you need: * 2 cups sugar * 3/4 cup light corn syrup * 2 cups light cream (20%) * 1/2 cup butter

Let’s make it!

Butter square pan, 8 X 8 X 2 inches, or line pan with tinfoil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and half of the cream in a large saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining cream.

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 245 cegrees on a candy thermometer (or until a small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a firm ball. This is the way my mama always did it!)

Immediately spread mixture evenly in prepared pan. Cool. Cut into 1" squares. Makes about 5 dozen candies.

You can wrap the individual caramels in squares of wax paper or tinfoil to keep them from sticking to each other and to hold their shape.

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

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A few more family favorite holiday recipes from the kitchen of Lynn Mosher Christmas just wouldn’t be quite the same at our house without a few of our traditional favorite foods! With family gathered around the table on Christmas morning, or as we make memories on Christmas Eve with the fireplace roaring and the sweet sounds of holiday music floating through the air, these are the favorite recipes that are always part of our family tradition. Let us know if you make one of these recipes for your family this Christmas!

Gingerbread 1 c. sugar ½ c. mixed butter and Crisco ½ c. molasses 1 ½ t. baking soda ½ t. baking powder ½ t. ground cloves

1 egg beaten 2 c. sifted flour 1 t. cinnamon 1 t. ground ginger ½ t. salt 1 c. hot, strong coffee

Cream shortening and butter with sugar. Add egg and molasses and beat well. Sift together all dry ingredients and stir in. Add hot coffee last. Mix well. This makes a very fluid batter.

Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until done. Serve with Butterscotch Sauce.

Butterscotch Sauce 1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed ½ c. sugar 2 T. shortening 1 T. light corn syrup

1/3 c. milk 2 T. butter ¼ t. salt 1 t. vanilla

Place all ingredients except vanilla in 2 qt. saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil only 1 min. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Add vanilla. Makes 1 ½ c.

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Pretzel Salad 2 c. crushed pretzels ¼ c. sugar 1 ½ stick melted butter Do not use the light-colored pretzel sticks. Use regular pretzels. Do not put in blender or Cuisinart to crush as this will spoil the pretzels. You have to beat the pretzels or smash them.

Mix these well and place in a greased 9x13 dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min. Cool. It can even be put in freezer or refrigerator for a few minutes to cool faster.

1 – 8 oz. cream cheese softened 1 c. sugar 1 lg. carton Cool Whip (I’m not sure which size this is. This recipe was written before the really large container came out.)

Mix and spread over cooled pretzel mixture.

20 oz. frozen, thawed, and mashed strawberries (without sugar) 2 c. Pineapple juice 1 – 6 oz. box strawberry jello Heat pineapple juice. Mix with jello (now water). Add strawberries. Mix well. Cool. (If you don’t cool some, it melts the cream cheese.) Pour over cream cheese mixture. Place in refrigerator until firm. It doesn’t take as long as regular jello to set.

Cheese Grits 5 c. salted boiling water 1 c. grits 1 roll garlic cheese pepper to taste Cheddar cheese

1 ½ c. half & half 2 eggs well beaten 1 stick butter salt and paprika

Stir grits slowly into boiling water. Cover. Lower to medlow and cook for 5-7 min. (Check the package) Cook until done. Slice cheese and butter into grits. Mix half & half and eggs (so eggs don’t cook up in the hot grits). Stir until cheese and butter are melted.

Pour into greased 9x13 dish or other. Sprinkle on some cheddar cheese and paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. or until not jiggly in the middle.

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Dilly Bread 1 pkg. dry yeast (not fast acting) ¼ c. lukewarm water (around 110 degrees) 1 c. creamed cottage cheese, heated to lukewarm 2 T. sugar 1 T. dried minced onion 1 T. butter 1 egg 2 ¼ c. All-purpose flour 2 t. dill seed 1 t. salt ¼ t. baking soda Dissolve yeast in water. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except flour. Add flour gradually to form stiff dough. It is not necessary to beat this with electric mixer.

Cover and let rise near heat until light, about 60 min. (I turn on the oven for a couple of minutes and then turn off.) When raised and fluffy, stir down dough with floured hands or spoon and turn into greased loaf pan or 2 qt. casserole.

Let rise again near heat, about 40 to 50 min. till risen. Bake at 350 degrees about 35 min. or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Can eat hot or when cooled, slice, butter, wrap in tin foil and reheat for about 10 min. or so until butter is melted and it’s hot.

Cinnamon Apples The measurements can be adjusted to whatever amount you need.

4 large apples – cored, cut in bitesized chunks ½ c. Brach’s cinnamon imperials (or other similar) ¼ c. water Spray a 2 cup measuring cup with cooking spray. Put in water and candy.

Put cup on a plate or paper towel in microwave. Cook starting with 2 minutes on high. Stir. (I always spray a spoon with cooking spray) Continue cooking at one minute intervals until dissolved. Put apples in a large bowl. Pour cinnamon liquid over apples. Cook on high for 10 minutes. Stir. Continue cooking until tender.

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Vintage Paper Dolls from the collection of Vintage Mama 83

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Hand-Embellished Christmas Ornaments

by Lynn Mosher There is just no end of the creative ideas that our readers, writers, and members of the community share with us every month! Lynn Mosher sent in these pictures of beautiful Christmas ornaments made from plain glass balls that have been embellished.

If you would like to try creating some of these with your family, all it takes is a few simple supplies: * Plain glass Christmas ornament balls * Glitter paint pens or markers * craft glue * hot glue gun * ribbons * craft jewels and gems * fabric scraps Get out your glue, ribbons, glitter pens, jewels and gems, and a bit of ribbon and start creating!

Just follow the ideas in these photos, and you will have the best-dressed Christmas tree in the neighborhood!

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Thank you to Lynn for sharing these beautiful Christmas ornaments with us! Please send us a picture of your creations by emailing us at editor@rubyforwomen.com

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Hitori Number Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker

Wacky Wordies Word Puzzle Answer Key

by Beth Brubaker See if you can guess the sayings that are represented by the clues !

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A 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

Be sure to visit

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

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

Visit Katherine’s Corner for creative crafts, seasonal recipes, book reviews, product reviews, and so much more! www.katherinescorner.com 91

Avoid a Collision with a Positive Vision

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose

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

Godly Women is a touching book designed to help women (and men, too) of all ages identify the basic lie they believe about God, themselves and others. Healing from the past is a process that cannot begin until we come out of denial and allow God access to deal with our past hurts and lies believed. Corallie speaks God’s truth and uses helpful word pictures to enable understanding of the plight of hurting people who feel so bound to the past. Godly Women is scripturally sound and I thoroughly recommend it as a significant healing tool for those who have been neglected or abused, those who minister to them and also those who would just be a friend.”

Dell Sadler, Omega Writers

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Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years.

She has authored three books: A Soldier's Strength from the Psalms (2007); Healing for the Holes in Our Souls (2008); and Where Is Happy? (2011).

She is a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayer; also Gettin' Old Ain't for Wimps (Karen O'Connor, 2004) and Special Strength for Special Parents (Nina Fuller, 2006).

She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

www.booksbyamanda.com

www.theresaceniccola.com 94

This Space is For Sale!

If you would like to advertise in an upcoming issue of

Ruby for Women, please email editor@rubyforwomen.com for all the details

Please join us at the Ruby for Women CafĂŠ for conversation, fun, friendship, and encouragement.

Just pop in anytime, we would love to see you there! there!

You can find us in the Ruby for Women community at www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

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.

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

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

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

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

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

And please be sure to stop by the Ruby for Women blog at www.rubyforwomen.com 96

Advent Oddessy Oddessy

by Keith Wallis From rhyme and free verse to narrative meditation, there will be something here for most tastes. Don't expect to like it all or to find all the pieces 'comfortable' or 'nice' because there was little that was comfortable about that first Advent. The 'wise men' only appear in passing due to their being late to the party. And here we won't dabble with the villain of the piece Herod doesn't feature at all.

Available at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3727126 Keith Wallis is an English poet and photographer who combines both to produce work that touches the emotions. He began submitting work for publication in the 1980’s. The small press magazines and anthologies of that era used his poetry and graphic work. Four small booklets followed: Wordsculptures, Marketplace of Masks, Real Tears and Crocodile Smiles, Concrete Womb.

Joining Christianwriters.com in 2005 (and subsequently becoming a moderator) re-energized his writing. Recently work has been published by: RootsWorship, EveryDayPoets, PoetryMonthly International, Word Catalyst Magazine, The Cypress Times, Christian Poet's Pen, Perpetual Magazine, Bewildering Stories and he is 'Poet in Residence' at Ruby for Women online Christian women’s magazine. His blog can be found at http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/

All of Keith’s books can be purchased at www.blurb.com/user/wordsculptor

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Meet the Ruby for Women Writers Aunt Dots, Master Gardener Aunt Dots has been writing for Ruby for Women since the very beginning. Her love for gardening started early in her life: “I believe I got my love for growing flowers from my mother. She had a large flower garden with annuals and dahlias. I had my first flower garden after I married and we lived in a garden apartment.” She now has perennial gardens, rose gardens, grape vines, asparagus, currants, gooseberries, walnut trees, apple trees, and hazelnut trees.

In the winter months, Aunt Dots sews, making quilts that she has donated to a Mennonite Relief auction.

Beth Brubaker, Footprints in the Mud and Ask Beth Beth is the “Family Fun” editor here in the Ruby for Women community. She is a mother of two very active kids whose antics are sprinkled liberally in her columns. She has been married for 13 years to her Knight in Shining Armor, and she is delighted to share with us that they still hold hands in public! Her day job is working as a fabric artist, a homemaker, and a writer.

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

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

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

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Lynn Mosher, Devotions

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

Katherine Corrigan, Recipes and Crafts Katherine is a blogger at Katherine’s Corner, an artist, designer, tea drinker and hug giver. She has been a contributor to Ruby for Women for three years. She is originally from England. But she has lived in the USA since 1975. She holds a rare dual citizenship with the UK and the USA and is a proud citizen of both. She greets each day with grace, dignity and gratitude.

Thanking God for her strength as she continues to encourage others and moves forward despite her physical challenges. She is happily married and has five grandchildren.

After 30 years of working in the medical field and managing other people’s businesses Katherine has her own online shop and graphics business. She never hesitates to contribute to Ruby for Women. She says, “Being part of Ruby for Women is like getting a big hug every day.”

Blog http://KatherinesCorner.com Blog Graphics at http://BlogArtByKatherine.com Shop http://KeepsakesByKatherine.etsy.com

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

Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer who comforts others with the comfort she has received from God. Daphne is a recovery speaker and writers’ group president. She has published numerous inspirational articles in print and online magazines, including several entries in two collections: Women of the Secret Place and Chronicles of a Walk with Christ. Daphne is married to Luis and in the past several months, has resigned from corporate life to take a position as a stay-at-home mom of three adopted children. To connect with Daphne, visit her blog: http://DaphneWrites.com.

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Heather King is a wife to a wonderful husband and a mom to three beautiful girls. A former English teacher, she now lives a life of doing dishes, folding laundry, finding lost toys and mending scraped knees. She treks to the grocery store more times a week than she’d like and struggles to keep up with chores, appointments and the to-do list that refreshes itself day after day. In addition to all that, she’s the worship leader at her church in Virginia, a Bible study teacher and women’s ministry leader. Somewhere in the middle of the noise, mess, and busyness of life, she takes time to meet with God at her kitchen table with a Bible, a journal and a cup of strong hot tea with lots of sugar. You can find her blogging about these times with God at her devotional site: Room To Breathe: http://heathercking.wordpress.com/ "He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul" Psalm 62:1-2 (MSG).

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

I have recently resumed the art of design and photography, and I have trained myself in the modern tools of today’s visual artists, using the computer. I’m sure that if, when I was a child, I could have had a computer, I might not ever have gone to school at all!

You can find my graphic designs for use on blogs and websites in the Ruby for Women community at Sharmelle’s Graphic Haven. http://rubyforwomen.ning.com/group/sharmelle-s-graphic-haven

Connie Arnold, Poetry lives in North Carolina, is married and has two children and three grandchildren. In coping with lupus, fibromyalgia and other difficulties, she has turned to the Lord for inspiration and offers her inspirational poetry to offer encouragement, comfort and hope to others who are suffering. She is the author of Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace, Abiding Hope and Love, and Abundant Comfort and Grace plus a new 2012 inspirational calendar, Glimpses of Grace. She also writes for children and is the author of Animal Sound Mix-up and has two other children’s books under contract. You can visit Connie at www.conniearnold.webs.com or her blog, www.conniearnold.blogspot.com Full time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Over the years, she has shared her heart with magazines such as the Queensland Baptist, Christian Woman, Footprints, Mum to Mum, Captivated, Being Women, the Online Bible College student magazine, Deeper Devotions Student Ministries, amidst other magazines and ministries. Corallie is the author of Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose, a book which won her the award of Young Australian Christian Writer of the Year in 2007. She lives with husband David and daughter Esther in Brisbane, Australia.

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

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

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

Gloria Doty: I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 13. I have owned a catering business, and a Grade A goat dairy. I have managed a restaurant, worked in retail and was Dir. of Children’s’ Ministries for a large church for 10 years. I have been writing since I was in third grade. I currently write 2 blogs about my youngest daughter, Kalisha, and our journey together through the world of mild mental retardation, autism and Aspergers.

One blog is written for www.MOMS.FortWayne.com and is titled “Not Different Enough”. The other blog is www.gettingitright-occasionally.blogspot.com I write freelance articles for magazines and am a contributor to two devotional publications: Living the Gospel Life and Hope-Full Living. I do not believe it is possible to make it through a day without faith and a sense of humor, even in the darkest times and I try to always reflect that in my writing.

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. www.shannonmedisky.com

Richetta Blackmon: I am studying ministry and I have training in Christian Life Coaching. I feel that I will be a great encourager in the Ruby community by offering a listening ear, and speaking words of encouragement. www.inthelivingword.com

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Elizabeth Baker is an author and retired counselor drawing on thirty-five years of experience helping individuals apply biblical principles to real-life situations.

She currently lives in Pittsburg, Texas where she concentrates on her writing. A widow since her mid 30's, Elizabeth has four grown children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grands. You can find Elizabeth’s books at her website at www.elizabethbakerbooks.com

Amanda Stephan is a multi-published Christian romance author who loves sharing God’s love with others. A homeschooling mother and stay at wife, she finds pleasure in many things from sewing, to baseball and karate, to writing. She is currently working on a three book Christian romantic suspense series and resides in Columbia, TN, with her real-life hero husband of 8 years and two children. You can find Amanda at her website http://www.BooksByAmanda.com Her collaborative blog - http://www.thepriceoftrust.com Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/amandastephan and Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma

Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years. She has authored three books: A Soldier's Strength from the Psalms (2007); Healing for the Holes in Our Souls(2008); and Where Is Happy?(2011). She is a contributing author for Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayer; also Gettin' Old Ain't for Wimps (Karen O'Connor,2004) and Special Strength for Special Parents (Nina Fuller, 2006). She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

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

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

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Lisa Simpkins, Social Media Administrator I have been working online for 15 years now. I have gained enough knowledge over the years to work in many different fields in online business. A few of my special areas of expertise include social networking and administration: content provider, database, public relations, reputation management, member recruitment, marketing manager, link marketing, blog creation & branding/rank and community management. in addition, my work includes blogging, advertising, business branding/personal branding, mentoring, training one-onone, SEO, product creation, RSS and web site creation.

Hey y’all! My name is Taylor DeVine. I live on a ranch in the middle of nowhere but I absolutely love it! Riding horses, working cattle, working with horses, reading, writing, running, and cooking are my passions. A mantra of mine is "Fearlessness." Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, what you're passionate about, and what you know you have been equipped by the Holy Spirit to do. When you are waiting on God to open another door, praise Him in the hallway.

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.come/tndevine “Like” my page on Facebook: “Love Joyfully. Live Beautifully -Taylor DeVine” Subscribe to my blog www.heartofthewood.wordpress.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 an eye for detail as well as faith into his poetry. As well as being ‘poet in residence’ at Ruby ezine, he is a moderator at ChristianWriters.com. His blog of ekphrasic poetry is: http://wordsculptures-keith.blogspot.com/ where you’ll also find links to his books and his other blogs. Married to Val in 1970, he has two sons and three grandsons. The eldest grandson is disabled and cannot communicate verbally. Though not an ‘academic’ (school was a disaster!) he was always fond of writing. He began submitting work for publication in the 1980’s after being encouraged by a community writer in residence.

Tricia Goyer

is an acclaimed and prolific writer, having published hundreds of articles in national magazines including Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family while authoring more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books combined.

Among those are 3:16 Teen Edition with Max Lucado and the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Award winners Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. Connect with Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com

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

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

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor When all of my four older children were in school, I returned to college as a “non-traditional student.� Eventually, I earned degrees in Classics and Philosophy, and a graduate degree in Medieval Studies: History of Theology.

After teaching at a small community college in Michigan for seven years, my husband and I were blessed with the adoption of our two beautiful daughters, Gracie and Annie. Gracie is 11 years old and Annie is 9. They were both born in China, and we were able to travel to China two times to bring our daughters home. We live in northern Indiana in a small farming community where I work on Ruby for Women in my home office. I also work at Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana as the Curriculum Assistant for the Graduate and Professional Programs. My personal blog is at www.mamaslittletreasures.com where I frequently post tutorials and patterns for crafts and other sewing projects, as well as weekly reflections on life as a woman, wife, mother, and daughter of the King.

Introducing the Ruby for Women Administrative Team Over the past three years, the ministry of Ruby for Women has grown into a full-time ministry for several women here in the Ruby community. We have been blessed to be able to partner with women from all over the United States in the work of Ruby for Women, and we are currently in the process of adding 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 Website and Community Administrator, Ann Marie Weaver Social Networking Assistant, Lisa Simpkins Creative Consultant and Graphic Designer, Katherine Corrigan Publications Assistants: Ugochi Jolomi, Donna McBroom-Theriot, Anne B., Jackie McMullen, Christena Hammes, Sharmelle S.

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

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