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New Year To leave the old with a burst of song; To recall the right and forgive the wrong; To forget the things that bind you fast To the vain regrets of the year that’s past; To have the strength to let go your hold Of the not-worthwhile of the days grown old; To dare go forth with a purpose true, To the unknown task of the year that’s new; To help your brother along the road, To do his work and lift his load; To add your gift to the world’s good cheer, Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.

-Robert Brewster Beattie

January 2019

Mother to

Mother

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Please direct all correspondence to:

Glenn & Mary Beth Martin 595 Skyline Trail, Chester, MA 01011

Phone: (413) 354-7860 Fax: (413) 354-1944

Email: contact@mother-to-mother.org

Hello friends…

Standing at the portal of the op’ning year Words of comfort meet us, hushing every fear;

Spoken through the silence by our Father’s voice, Tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice…

“I, the Lord, am with thee, be thou not afraid;

I will help and strengthen, be thou not dismayed. Yea, I will uphold thee with My own right hand;

Thou art called and chosen in My sight to stand.”

Onward, then, and fear not, Children of the day;

For His word shall never, Never pass away.

I often think of the words of this song/poem, Standing at the Portal, at the

beginning of a new year. It’s one I learned many years ago, yet the words are always newly reassuring. There is an element of foreboding that goes hand in hand with the anticipation at beginning a new year. What will it hold? What a blessed reassurance that God’s words of promise will never change, no matter what comes!

On New Year’s Day we did one of our favorite family pastimes – went for a long drive on the many dirt roads that meander through the hilltowns around us. Stone fences in wooded areas remind us of the hard-working families who once farmed this land that the forest has now reclaimed. Unmaintained roads that end in the middle of nowhere, small cemeteries filled with old gravestones, and tumbledown homesteads remind us of those who used to call this area home, who were once as alive, as full of hopes and dreams, as we are. I often wish these hills, and particularly the abandoned homesteads, could tell their stories. One day during school vacation, we had a whoopie pie day with one of my sisters-in-law. We made four kinds: chocolate, shoo-fly, chocolate chip, and pumpkin. The last two kinds I baked in a waffle maker. I always think of my grandma when I make pumpkin whoopie pies; she got us started making them in the waffle maker, and now it seems like the only right way to do it! Thank you for your support in the past year in the form of subscriptions, answers to questions, recipes, encouraging notes, and more. God bless you and yours in the coming year!

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You Ask, You Answer

⇨ I wish you God's enabling grace as you move to a new outreach! May He

strengthen you, your husband and children through this challenging time. That was my prayer for myself a year and a half ago as we faced a similar move.

We had four preschoolers when we moved. I was thankful, because in many ways they adjusted more easily than older children. They certainly adjusted

more easily than I did! One thing that was very helpful was the way that other sisters took my

crew to their homes for the day during that last week of intensive packing. Not only did it give me the freedom to work, but it kept them happily occupied in a safe and normal place. They came back as the last things were loaded and had a chance to see the empty house before we departed. That way when they wanted to go home, we could remind them that our things weren't in that house any more.

Don't schedule big remodeling projects for those last weeks. It was rather traumatic for our little boys to watch the bathtub, scene of many happy hours, being ripped into pieces and carried out the door!

Try to keep as much continuity in home life as possible, but be prepared for more changes than you expect. A new house, a new community, a new climate, a new church and school, a new job… Any one of of these creates changes in schedule, in the way we do what we do; when they all change at once, it can be almost overwhelming. Don't get frustrated by the amount of time it takes to feel relaxed and efficient again!

Toddlers are easily overwhelmed and cherish comfortingly familiar things. Our two-year-old nearly jumped up and down when he saw his own bed coming into this strange new house! Don't try potty-training or breaking a thumb-sucking habit right away. We had been here probably six months when one of the other moms commented that the two-year-old must be adjusting because he seemed happier. I wish I had given him more Mama time during those months.

Make time for children to talk about what they miss, but also encourage them to share what they like about the new home. Remind them about why you moved, that it's God's will for you to be where you are, and that He cares. Trust Him to meet their needs, and let them hear you pray for those needs specifically.

The better you handle your own adjustments, the more it will help your children. Like me, your hardest adjustments may come later than the children's. Admit your struggles, but don't burden the children with them. Count your blessings; reach out to the sisters close by; look for ways to bless and learn from your new neighbors. Trust the Lord; He will bless and reward you, and supply your children's needs as well as your own.

-Arizona

Question : We will be moving to a church outreach. For those of you with similar experience, what did you find helpful in making the adjustments easier for your children? What would you have done differently?

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⇨ As sisters in Christ, our fellowship is based on our shared sisterhood to our Lord

Jesus and our shared daughter-hood to our Father in heaven… if we have any significant level of maturity at all! On the other hand, babes in Christ tend to strongly base their fellowship on trite things like shared opinions about health and birthing practices, biases regarding foods, and so on. But if we will all grow in Christ, even just a little bit, we will quickly find that we have solid fellowship while our differing opinions on these types of matters remain. Also, as we mature in Christ, we will sense less and less “need” to convince one another of our opinions on these things!

Let’s have unconditional love for one another, and thoughtful respect for each other’s viewpoints and decisions: “He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's” (Romans 14:6-8).

-Texas

⇨ Remember, we each need to do what is right for our own family. Just because my

family is on a long, hard journey toward health doesn't mean that everyone is on such a journey or that all the answers would be the same for them. Our health and background make such a difference in our outlook that often we can't understand other's different opinion! It comes down to respecting and caring for each other. Please look for character traits you can admire in each other. Sincere commendation to a sister or about another sister fosters healthy relationships. Especially if someone “rubs me the wrong way,” prayer for that individual helps my attitudes toward her, and opens my heart toward understanding her struggles. We each have something to contribute to Christ's body, but we also need to be humble enough to acknowledge our need of each other.

-Pennsylvania

⇨ The words “strong opinions” stood out to me. The Bible says that the wisdom

that is from above is gentle and easy to be entreated. It has been my experience and observation that if we come out very strongly on one side or the other, God has ways of allowing circumstances in our lives that show us how little we know. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

-Pennsylvania

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;

but the greatest of these is charity.”

(1 Corinthians 13:13)

Question : In our congregation, there are strong opinions on natural versus medical. How can we, as sisters in Christ, enjoy beautiful relationships with each other despite differences of opinion about childbirth, sickness, behavior, and more?

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⇨ Love plus truth equals fellowship. The Bible is the final authority on truth; today there are a lot ideas that are just a little twisted. It is very easy to fall into the trap of believing you are on the right road and yet be completely wrong. If we are truly seeking the Lord and His Way, He will show us what is right. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

-Indiana ⇨ On these kinds of subjects there will always be differences, and sometimes no

exact right or wrong way of doing it. Remember that as strange as their views seem to you, yours are equally strange to them. You say you are “sisters in Christ” – that gives you a foundation to come back to when there are differences. As sisters, there should always be respect for one another and you have Biblical principles in helping to relate to each other. Here are just a few: “in her tongue is the law of kindness,” “in honor preferring one another,” “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”

If these subjects cannot be discussed without causing contention, then perhaps our response could be, “We both know that we don't think the same way on this subject. But I think we can still be friends. I respect you enough to let you do it your way, and I won’t push my ideas on you. And I would be very happy if you would be able to reciprocate."

-Texas

⇨ As sisters in Christ, we want to have good relationships despite differences in

opinion. Some friends are easy to relate to and share with because they are interested in the same things we are, while another may have totally different views from ours. We need to be sure we are willing to listen. It may mean to listen without offering advice unless we are asked. I find that there is so much to learn that I enjoy hearing what has worked for others. We need to remember that there is a ditch on either side of the road. We need our friends to help us keep balanced in our thinking.

There are various valleys God called us to go through that we would never have chosen. These valleys helped us to be more understanding of special needs of others. Be the kind of person that others feel understands what they are going through regardless of the route they choose. “Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Philippians 4:5).

-Pennsylvania

⇨ We all think our way of doing something is right. Some would call us “natural-

minded;” my husband says we don’t need to broadcast what we do. Just quietly do for your family what you feel is best. If called on to express an opinion, you could say “this is what works for us” or “some folks find this helpful.” Don’t allow such things to keep you at odds with others or transgress Biblical principles. Be gracious. I like to remind myself that we’re searching for answers and if I was facing what others are facing, I might feel like they do. And just because someone’s opinion is different than yours doesn’t mean they think you need to change yours. Let’s broaden perspectives by sharing graciously.

-Maryland

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⇨ The answer is not to stop talking. Relationships don’t blossom when people can’t share openly. Relationships are about letting people into your life. Get rid of the fear that you might differ in opinions. It’s okay to differ. We learn the most from those who differ.

Relationships work best when people love gathering information from all sides and then know they have the freedom to make a choice they feel comfortable with. They aren’t offended by those who disagree — they know they can’t please everyone. Tension begins when people can’t handle conflicting information and the only solution they know is to put up walls. Trying to pry the wall down by asking personal questions will only make the bricks go higher. Perhaps your freedom to share your own journey in sorting through medical and natural will open a door into their experience.

Consider that you might not know the whole story. Perhaps that’s the reason another person’s choices don’t make sense. Avoid passing judgment on a type of doctoring just because you aren’t familiar with it and then forbid the person to explain. Misunderstandings happen when people quit talking. Talk. Share. Without judgment. Without pressure. We’re all learning. Perhaps you won’t be persuaded to try that type of doctoring yourself, but after hearing their side of the story you can understand why they chose that route.

When someone chooses a therapy program (medication, nutrition, or exercises) for their child that you wouldn’t consider, show interest anyway. Tell the person you are glad they are getting help.

Don’t be closed to medical because of one bad story. Don’t call all things natural a bunch of nonsense. I have ended up eating my words on both accounts. I have learned to value both sides and find them surprisingly compatible. The medical world is changing and becoming more conscious of nutrition. And nutritional doctors rely on the expertise of the medical for diagnosis and labwork. View them as a team instead of antagonists. View your friends that way too in spite of varying opinions.

When you do feel the door is open to share your experience, acknowledge that this is only what you learned and it may not apply to every situation. Be sure the person knows that no matter how emphatically you say something, you allow them the right to make their own decisions and you will still be a friend if they take a different route.

If you do give advice, give it in a helpful way. If you suggest a chiropractor treatment for your friend’s baby who can’t seem to get the proper crawling pattern, that won’t be very helpful if she has no chiropractor she can trust, never took a child there, or is fearful about how a baby might cooperate. Tell her first why you are recommending it—because your baby dragged a leg just like that and your chiropractor discovered a misaligned hip. He crawled properly the same day as the adjustment. Offer to go along so you can help explain anything unfamiliar. My mother-in-law did this for me when she recommended a chiropractor treatment because one of our children had knocked her head seriously. I was timid and unsure and without her presence and reassurance I would have never done it. I loved her for it. Be there, be a friend.

-Pennsylvania

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⇨ What do you consider unique hot lunches? I like menus that can be made ahead

of time so I don’t find myself in a bind the morning we need to serve lunch. At our school, we have several families go together each time to serve hot

lunch and we also have what we call the “hot lunch book” – a ring binder with at least five years’ worth of previous hot lunch menus. This also includes how many were served, who helped, the amounts that were needed, and the recipes if the dish(es) served were unusual. Some of the menus in that book include: haystacks; dairy casserole, rolls, and veggie tray; spaghetti, garlic bread, or veggie pizzas; hamburgers in a barbecue sauce; chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and green beans; pork barbecue sandwiches; cheese steak sandwiches; sausage sandwiches; and meatball subs. If you want the traditional meat, potatoes, and vegetable meal, there is poor man’s steak, barbecue chicken, Japanese chicken, or ham balls paired with gourmet cheese potatoes or mashed potatoes and the vegetable of your choice. Desserts may be a variety of baked items with a thickened fruit dessert, ice cream sandwiches, pumpkin torte, éclair dessert, or a simple fruit tray.

Two weeks ago I took hot lunch for my daughter and we had cheeseburger soup, warm sticky ham and cheese sandwiches, whoopie pies, and a fruit dessert. Your imagination is the limit!

-Pennsylvania

⇨ Several years ago our church started something a little different for sewing circle

lunches. One sister is responsible to provide soup for the whole group. Then everyone else brings a dish of their choice to go along with it – whatever they have on hand. We keep it simple. A few common items are cheese, crackers, fresh veggies or fruit, snack mix, or baked goods. This works very well for us and everyone seems to enjoy it.

-Pennsylvania

⇨ I served rice and stir-fry for hot lunch at our school. I figured it is healthy and

educational, so I’ll give it a try. Rice is very easy to prepare and I cut up and fried chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and a little onion and garlic for the stir-fry. We made a clear glaze with chicken broth and soy sauce and poured it over the vegetables and the children really liked it! We also served applesauce jello, cupcakes, and caramel pudding.

-Ohio

Question : Any ideas for unique hot lunch menus for school? Also, ideas for sewing circle menus…

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⇨ I love taking hot lunch to school! Our first time, we did a daffy dinner. Instead of plates, we took a conglomeration of dishes for the children to eat from – tea set plate, roast pan, gallon pitcher, cupcake pan, and more. The children passed them around for a few minutes until the timer went, then they got to use whatever they had at the moment. To make it really interesting, you can use a variety of ladles, spatulas, or hot dog forks instead of spoons and forks. A word of caution: some of the younger children may not find it a joke to eat from an ice cube tray with a large slotted spoon.

One year we had a mystery dinner. The day before, we had the children and teachers fill out their menus (with the food being given mysterious names) with number 1’s and 2’s. That evening we packed paper bag lunches, two for each child, filled according to their menus. Most of our menu was packable foods: cheese curls = crunchy caterpillars; teddy-shaped cookies = bedtime buddies; and string cheese = chewey mooey. We tried to have about ten food items – five for first course and five for second course. For the spaghetti-and-meatball soup (which we named baseballs and jump ropes), we stapled a tag to the bag lunch of the course number they had chosen. We handed out the Number One (first course) bags, and if they had a ticket for soup in that course, they brought it to me and I dished up a bowl of soup for them. After a child had eaten their first course, they were given the Number Two bag.

Another year we made Frogmore Stew (see recipe on the following page). After washing their hands well, the teachers and children sat around a long table covered with a plastic tablecloth. We dumped the stew in a long pile along the center of the table. The children each had a small disposable container, which they filled with a dip of their choice when it was passed around. The idea with Frogmore Stew is that each person takes the pieces he wants and eats with his fingers. For dessert, I also had finger foods so it wouldn’t take any plates. Small oranges, whoopie pies, and jello cups. Make blue jello and add a gummy fish. Put it in clear cups for a cute ocean scene. I added teddy grahams floating in peach rings – very adorable!

Our next plan is a haystack and banana split dinner. I am still planning… One thing I think I will do ahead of time for ease in serving is to cut the bananas in half, then make a cut lengthwise without peeling the banana. As the pupils enjoy their first course, we’ll pass out the banana halves and dishes. When they peel the banana, it should be ready to split.

I am really eager to see what other ideas come in! -New York

“Have not I commanded thee?

Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

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Frogmore Stew (aka Country Boil)1 cup ketchup 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup vinegar 1 pkg. (3 oz.) crab boil seasoning* ¾ cup salt 2 tsp. black pepper 16 cups water

6 lb. chicken tenders 5 lb. sausage links 2 lb. shrimp (thawed) 12 unpeeled wedged potatoes 1-2 green peppers, sliced 2 (12 oz.) pkg. whole mushrooms 3 large onions, wedged 12 corn-on-the-cob, cut in thirds,

optional 1½ lb. baby carrots

Mix ingredients in first column in a large stainless steel kettle. If lunch is at 12:00… 10:30 – Put broth on stove and bring to a boil. 11:05 – Add potatoes and carrots. 11:10 – Add sausage. 11:20 – Add chicken. 11:40 – Add mushrooms and onions. 11:50 – Add shrimp and green peppers. 11:55 – Turn off burner and let set five minutes. When people are seated, strain off broth before pouring on the table. Tips: Have ingredients cut up before broth boils (chicken tenders and

sausage should be in bite-size pieces). Before adding shrimp, be sure potatoes are soft. Dips: ketchup, sour cream, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and tartar

sauce. The recipe is said to serve 9-10 people, but I would say it serves more! *Crab boil seasoning is available with Walmart spices. Dinner rolls and an ice cream dessert go well with the stew.

-Evelyn Zimmerman

⇨ Some of our children had the same problem. What seemed to help ours was

putting a little corn syrup in with their bottle. I often give them oatmeal mixed with warm water and pancake syrup. That seemed to help as well. Raisins work too if they are able eat small foods. Some of ours didn't walk young so that could have contributed to the problem. I believe when they are able to move around more, they are able to get their bowels moving. I hope you find success because it’s not fun!

- Pennsylvania

Question : I’m looking for ideas on what to do about my one-year-old’s constipation problems. He gets a bottle of raw cow's milk and water mixed half/half before he goes to sleep for a nap and at bedtime, otherwise he eats solid food off the table.

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⇨ Our oldest daughter had trouble with constipation when she was six months old. We tried several different things – molasses in her bottle, and Mommy’s Bliss Constipation Ease from Wal-Mart. They both worked for a time, but never fully took care of the problem. Then after reading about the health benefits of Aloe Vera Juice, we decided to try that and were so happy we did. For her four-ounce bottle of formula, we used one ounce of aloe vera juice to three ounces of water. We did that with every bottle until she was regular, then backed off to once or twice a day for about two months. Our daughter is now two years old, and I’m happy to say she hasn’t had any problems since.

-Pennsylvania

⇨ This sounds like what I ran into with my one-year-old as I weaned him. I decided

the cow's milk was at least partly to blame, but I wanted him to get that nourishment. Good probiotics will help get his digestive system working – plenty of yogurt, kefir, or a supplement.

Make sure he's getting lots of fruits and vegetables. An easy solution is to cook and blend a pack of veggies and freeze them in small portions to add to his diet as needed.

And if you slip up and notice he's having difficulties again, a couple tablespoons of prune juice can helpful. My baby loves it and hollers for his share whenever the bottle comes out of the fridge. Dilute it with a little water to help get more liquids in, which will also help the problem.

-Arizona

⇨ First of all, I would give him a good probiotic. I’m wondering if the raw cow’s milk

may yet be too harsh for him. If he eats well from the table, he probably doesn’t need the bottle.

I read that The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be weaned from the bottle by age 13 months * to prevent tooth decay. I know this seems young, but I have carefully followed this advice when I couldn’t nurse and had them on the bottle, and I’ve discovered it’s pretty simple to wean from the bottle at this age. I always do it cold turkey and offer a drink of water before sleep time. They forget so soon that they need it! You could also give gummi-vites to make sure he’s getting all his vitamins. * Editor’s note: The AAP recommends

weaning from a bottle by 18 months: See https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-center/Pages/Weaning-from-the-Bottle.aspx

We learned the hard way with our six-year-old that constipation can be very serious. Hers came from a nervous stomach, also hereditary, and she got very sick. The doctor prescribed a concentrated dose of magnesium. I’ve found the most palatable way to give magnesium to children is to mix the powder from the capsules with applesauce. Also, I like to let tots eat lots of raisins; that often loosens them up.

I doubt that it’s unusual for children to have occasional problems with constipation following a change of diet, like eating from the table. For ours it isn’t an ongoing problem.

-Kentucky

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⇨ Does he eat plenty of fruit? Add slippery elm to his diet. Approximately ½ tsp. of slippery elm mixed with applesauce once a day should help with constipation or diarrhea. Slippery elm used several times in one day for diarrhea is very effective.

-Pennsylvania ⇨ I had to supplement with formula for my last two babies. The one especially had

problems with constipation. My midwife suggested blackstrap molasses. I just poured a little in his bottle whenever I thought he needed it. My children also have less digestive issues since I started them on a chewable probiotic from Nature’s Warehouse.

-Pennsylvania

⇨ When my one-year-old switched to cow’s milk bottles we battled constipation as

well. I had good success using “Kids Reg-Ease” from Nature’s Warehouse. I added the recommended dosage to his bottle at least once a day until his tummy got used to the change. Now whenever things get tough again, I give him a dropperful by mouth and it seems to clear it right up. To order a catalog from Nature’s Warehouse, call 800-215-4372.

-Pennsylvania

⇨ When my oldest was on a bottle, I found putting some prune juice in with the

milk helped very much with constipation. I started out with one tablespoon for a four ounce bottle or two tablespoons for an eight ounce bottle. I adjusted the amount of prune juice as needed.

-Texas

⇨ Our oldest child was only six months old when she was switched to all cow’s milk.

Constipation very quickly became a problem. The remedy? Prune juice! For her, two ounces a day was usually sufficient, but I adjusted the amount according to what it seemed like she needed. It was simply a daily bottle for her. I also tried to give her plenty of fruit such as peaches and pears; not applesauce, as that only made the problem worse.

-Pennsylvania ⇨ When my youngest sister had constipation problems, my mom added a

tablespoon or two of blackstrap molasses to her milk every morning. It worked! Also, I wonder what your reason is for adding water to the milk. Enough

water is very important (it will help combat constipation) but a growing child needs the calcium found in dairy products. I’d push the water more during the day and allow full strength milk before bedtime.

-Pennsylvania _________________________________________________

The mother loves her child most divinely, Not when she surrounds him with comfort

And anticipates his wants, but when She resolutely holds him to the highest standards

And is content with nothing less than his best. - Hamilton Wright Mabie

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New Questions…

1. What are some ways a mother of young children can witness for the Lord? Should I pass out tracts to the cashier when I’m shopping?

2. How do you teach children respect and reverence for God? Our

children don’t seem to understand godly fear – as evidenced by their family worship behavior and tone of voice as they pray.

3. My eight-year-old daughter is very dark and puffy under her eyes. She usually gets ten hours of sleep a night and still acts tired. I remember she was like this last winter too and it seemed to disappear over the summer only to reappear this fall when she got a cold. I have her on probiotics and Vitamin C daily. What do you suggest as a remedy?

4. Can you explain the health benefits of sucanat and the ratio of

regular sugar to sucanat? How does it affect blood sugar levels for diabetics?

Please respond with answers by February 15, 2019.

The Kitty’s Tail

I let the kitty in the door,

And my dear little girl

Was absolutely charmed with his

Big bottle-brushy tail!

I thought that only boys did this –

This torment of the cat –

She chases ‘round and grabs his tail,

And heaves on it, at that!

Oh, what a grand, delightful toy!

All other play-things pale.

Her books have been deserted for

That fascinating tail! -C. J. Zimmerman

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Futile Efforts?

by Gloria Sauder

It was a busy Saturday at our house. We woke up that morning to an inch or less of beautiful powdery whiteness. “It’s still snowing!” And was it ever cold. No wet slush today; the temps stayed low, accompanied by driving winds. I busied myself with chores around the house, moving slower than usual due to a head cold sapping my energy and leaving me feeling dull. The children were cranky. Was it their own colds or did they detect their mama’s discomfort? After three-year-old Abigail’s nap, I announced in the most cheerful voice I could muster, “Let’s go outside! Want to give our new sled a try?” Amidst cheers of approval from Abigail, I brought the small blue sled in from the garage and set it by the door. Ten-month-old Jordan promptly investigated this new toy. I recalled the sultry summer day last July when I spotted this cute little sled at a garage sale. Wintry visions danced through my head as I scooped it up. Exactly what we needed! And now the time was ripe to give it a try. Or was it? Although Jordan seemed to approve of the new toy, he did not approve of being stuffed into snow pants, nor wrapped in cap and scarf. He howled loudly in protest despite our cheery sledding talk. I scrambled into winter wraps myself. Now where were Jordan’s mittens? Abigail’s crocheted mitten strings tangled with the sled rope as she waited for us by the door, and her boots weren’t on right. Tears ensued. “Is this worth the effort?” I tried to decide as the din of crying reached higher decibels, increasing my headache. Needless to say, any earlier ambition had fled. Finally, finally, out the door we went. Almost instantly, the tune changed. Jordan sat up straight and tall on the sled, riding along happily with the air of a prince, blinking against the cold. The fluffy snow squeaked and the sun shone. It was good to be alive! We paid Daddy a short visit in his shop and then the real sledding began. Dragging the sled up the small hill north of the garage, I persuaded Abigail to sit on it for a ride. I gave her a hefty push and the sled jerked forward. But the small amount of powdery whiteness didn’t do the trick. Coasting about three feet, the sled stopped abruptly, nearly throwing Abigail off. What a disappointment! Now what? Abigail scrambled to her feet, turning to face me with eyes aglow. She clapped her mittened hands together and giggled in utter delight. I joined in her laughter as the simplicity of young childhood replayed in my heart. Worth the efforts? Of course it was! Making memories. Building relationships. That is worth a lot of effort, and that’s what we were really trying to do. As we traipsed back inside a little later our cheeks were aglow with rosiness…and so were our hearts.

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Fox Tales…

The Most Shocking Thing I Learned in Italy by Florence Fox

When we landed on the island of Sicily on a sweltering August afternoon, I was nearly falling over with exhaustion and excitement. I’d read many stories of Italy and couldn’t wait to see this enchanting country for myself: The castles! The cuisine! The climate! But first, a bed more comfortable than economy seating in an airplane. I couldn’t forget, though, that our primary reason for coming was to reach out to the refugees. Many of them chose Sicily as their destination when trying to escape northern Africa. We planned to spend most of our time getting acquainted with the refugees who lived in nearby camps and holding Bible studies with them. While Marlin waited in line at the car rental counter, I sat on a suitcase and watched the endless swarms of people traipsing through the airport. Most were thin, I noticed, and only a few were tall, making me suddenly feel oversized. Two hours later, Marlin had finished signing papers and procured the keys. We walked into the parking lot to find the car and our first reality check: the car was small. Our group consisted of our friends Mike and Ruthie Weaver, Marlin, and me. Between us, we had three carry-ons and six large suitcases, two filled with literature. By the time we squeezed ourselves and our luggage inside, we could hardly see out the windows or take a deep breath.

As we left the airport, I was surprised to see how old the city looked, until I realized—of course!—this city is older than any in the United States. Palm trees dotted the landscape, and square block buildings perched on steep hillsides. Over an hour later, we arrived at the northern tip of Sicily, leaving the easy driving of the country for the startling city traffic of Messina. Cars and mopeds darted through the streets while pedestrians crossed when and where they pleased. To my shock, no one was run over.

We found our motel along a narrow city street a few blocks from the harbor. I finally understood why the cars were small: The streets had been designed for earlier means of transportation long before modern traffic filled them. The lady behind the motel desk tried to tell us that we needed a parking ticket, something I would have called a parking pass, in order to park the car along the street. I had my first taste of feeling like a foreigner when I could hardly understand her English. The experience was repeated a short time later after we walked to a restaurant for supper. How were we supposed to order from an Italian menu with a waitress who didn’t speak English?

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It won’t matter what food I get, I decided. Trying new food is part of the adventure. The flatbread pizza that arrived a short time later tasted unlike any pizza I’d ever had, but it was delicious and light and crispy. The next day we walked a few blocks from the motel and found a park, an oasis of shade and sea breezes in the shimmering heat. Dense, leafy trees punctuated the cobblestone landscape and added an air of wise, aged presence. Light- and dark-skinned people, a mish-mash of cultures and languages, lingered on park benches or wandered through the park. In the afternoon we returned to the park for a service that had been planned with the refugees. The refugees were easy to find, as they were dark-skinned and often spoke English, unlike most of the Italians. The men took turns leading out in Bible reading and prayer, and as we stood in a circle, American brothers next to brothers from Libya or Syria, it was easy to imagine the apostle Paul in a setting like this, preaching the Gospel in the city’s gathering places. Almost every day of our week-long stay we walked to the park and talked with the refugees. Each had a different story, though everyone shared a similar theme: loss and the fight against hopelessness. Many spoke of their trust and faith in Almighty God. “I pray to God and He hears me,” said Richard. “I know He will take care of me.” Most of these men risked their lives to come to the island, arriving with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, living in refugee camps for months, denied employment while waiting on their paperwork to be processed. Each of them had left family behind. In America, I had everything these men could wish for: a home, family around me, work to do, and the gilded documents of citizenship that allowed unending privileges. I had money in my purse and bank account, and though eating at McDonalds ranked fairly low on my list of pleasures, to most of these men, eating at McDonalds was an impossible privilege. As we frequented the park, I noticed the overweight, well-dressed tourists relaxing next to the dark-skinned refugees. Italy was supposed to be a land of amazing food and happy people, I thought, not a place where the rich vacation beside the hungry. And though we had met a small group of refugee Christians, many others were living without knowledge of God.

It would have been easier to go to Italy simply as a tourist, exclaiming over the beautiful country and indulging in the delightful cuisine. But when I looked around and saw the realities of life in Messina and all the souls that need Jesus, I realized that Italy and America were exactly alike.

Florence loves life with her husband and five children in Michigan, the best place to call home. New cultures are fascinating, but Florence hopes to always view the people as souls with a destiny.

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Go in Peace by Diane Martin

Before becoming a mother, I did not anticipate the significant increase of opportunities to worry. I discovered it from the start. As soon as Caleb was born, the nurses whisked our firstborn off to the Special Care nursery, because of meconium in the amniotic fluid. After that crisis, we struggled for weeks to get him back to birth weight. In those days, I naively expected worry to lessen as he got older. Caleb is now sixteen. This fall, he got his learner’s permit to drive a vehicle, and began a carpentry job. He is with the youth group. He lives in a world of technology that didn’t exist when his parents were that age. Fewer worries? I think not. How I pray for that boy! (Along with the rest of our children, of course.) “It wasn’t the greatest day at work,” Caleb might state casually. “Because of snow, the roof we were working on was kind of slippery.” And I keep praying, with firm belief that God is in control. Last Tuesday morning we followed our typical weekday routine. I made Caleb’s lunch and ate breakfast with my husband and son. Allan went out to start the van. “It’s rather blustery out there,” Allan remarked to me. “I’m glad you’re not planning to go away.” What about you? I wondered silently, breathing a prayer for their protection. Allan would accompany Caleb to work – about a twenty minute drive – and then bring the van back to his own job. The men were off. I poured another cup of coffee and settled down to read. About fifteen minutes later, the phone rang. Caleb’s number, I noted as I looked at the call display. Did he forget something? It was my husband’s voice, not my son’s. “How’re ya now?” Allan asked cheerfully. “Almost done with my coffee.” “We’re in the ditch!” “Oh! Shall I bring the other van?” “Sure,” Allan replied. “You’ll find us just before Melvin’s driveway. Maybe you can take Caleb on to work.” I hope they’re both all right, I thought as I hung up. I didn’t even ask. I scrawled a note for our five children who were still slumbering. My mind raced as I bundled up. They were gone for fifteen minutes and they’re only at Melvin’s? Must be they were trying to push the van out. I’d better take a couple shovels along. I was glad I had thought of it. Allan would be surprised. I discovered it was indeed a blustery morning. The swirling snow in the darkness made visibility poor. The road was white, with no indication of where the road ended and the ditch began. No wonder Caleb drove into the ditch! I thought. He should hardly have been driving in such bad weather. But I guess he may as well practice with his Daddy beside him.

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I stopped at the stop sign and turned left onto the highway. Nearing Melvin’s place, I strained my eyes for a vehicle in the ditch. What if I missed seeing them in the storm? And then I saw it. Not a van standing where it had slid into the right hand ditch, as I was expecting. Instead I saw the roof of our Mazda. Our van lay on the driver’s side in the opposite ditch! “Oh my poor, dear son!” I gasped aloud. I had rolled a van on snowy roads many years earlier, and I knew the horror of it. I was so sorry that Caleb had to have such an experience. “Are you both okay?” I asked anxiously as I approached the overturned van. Caleb was crawling around inside, retrieving his lunch containers. Allan stood outside taking the contents and repacking them in the lunch box. “We’re fine,” Allan assured me. “Caleb wasn’t going fast and the snow made a soft landing. It all kind of happened in slow motion.” I’m a mother of boys, and I’ve learned a thing or two in my day, so I didn’t fuss. At least not out loud. Inside, I was praising God for sparing these two precious men. That highway is full of big trucks. How easily the Mazda could have collided with one! Our family could be planning a funeral right now. I took Caleb on to work, while Allan waited with the van until the tow truck came. We planned that I would stop at John’s Towing on my way back through town, to pick Allan up. Although Caleb said he wanted to go to work, my mother-heart ached with sympathy as I watched him stride manfully into the shop. Traumatized though he was, Caleb was grown up enough to push forward and on with his day. I had to let him. As I drove back through town, I pondered. Just how is a mother to do it? How can she cope with letting go of her son, given all the possibilities for physical or moral danger? How can she survive it, without having a nervous breakdown? I was thankful this accident wasn’t worse, but what would the future hold? I hadn’t reached a conclusive answer as I pulled in at John’s Towing. The tow truck wasn’t there yet, so I could mull over these thoughts some more. When the tow truck arrived, I walked over to the Mazda. Allan joined me. Jerking open the driver’s door, I saw dirt everywhere. “I guess all the dirt from the floor of a work van has been redistributed to the dash and seats,” I said. “Not quite all of it is on the seats,” Allan corrected. “Some of it is in my hair.” He ran a hand gingerly over his head. “The Bible must have flown out of the cubby hole,” I said, picking it up from the floor. Allan was rummaging around in the middle seats. “Here’s a page from Judges.” I looked at the paper he held up. Surely, a lone page torn from the Bible in an accident must carry a special message. “Can I look at that?” I loved it! “Thank You, God,” I murmured. The very words a mother needs every time her son goes out the door. “Go in peace. The presence of the Lord be with you on your way.” These words, along with faith and trust in God, would keep my sanity intact.

concluded on page 19 ⇨

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Perils on the Ice by Jessica Beachy

In my days as a school teacher, I felt so wise. And why not? I dispensed knowledge five days a week, surrounded by people less knowledgeable than I. That changed when I got married. Then I discovered the limits of my knowledge. Vernon exceeded my capabilities in a host of areas, and driving on snowy roads was one of these. He grew up in the north, where life continued as usual when the roads were snowy. Since I lived in the south and learned to drive there, I had almost no experience with driving in below freezing temperatures. I had little desire to even step outside my door when the roads were snow-covered. Once, before we were married, we had several days of sub-freezing temperatures. It snowed, and with the temperature hovering right around freezing, the roads were treacherous. It was hot-chocolate-by-the-fire weather. But my boyfriend and I had already made plans for that day, and he wasn’t planning to change them because of “a little ice.” When we approached the stop light in the middle of town, his pickup lost traction and began rotating toward the right. I had expected something like this. I knew we should have been sitting by the fire sipping hot chocolate. I gripped the door handle, and held my breath as we made a complete rotation. As we came to a stop with no thuds or crunching noises, I dared to look up, and was surprised to find that we were sitting squarely in front of the red light. I hadn’t had time to pray, but God was surely protecting us. Upon arriving at our destination, I described how God protected us and even helped our vehicle gain control and stop right in front of the light. The man of the house grinned sideways at Vernon. “That might not have been as unexpected as it seemed,” he said. I looked at Vernon, and he was grinning too. I should have learned right then to suspect him and not the roads when we started skidding. We got married a couple of years later, and were in his home territory in the wintertime. At least a foot of fresh, loose snow had fallen. Vernon’s sisters and I wanted to do some shopping, but I hardly knew how much traction my own feet had on snowy ground, let alone a minivan. Vernon was happy to take us shopping. I was thankful he was driving, especially when we lost traction as we made turns into parking lots. The tail did not always cooperate with the rest of the vehicle, but somehow the van always righted itself. After one rotation for that narrowly missed a ditch, Vernon’s sister said, “Vernon! Stop it!”

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“You mean… he can help it?” I squeaked. A look at the gleaming eyes in the rear-view mirror revealed the answer. I wish I could say that was the last time he fooled me on snowy roads. That same winter we had a rare snowfall here in Texas. It was another hot-chocolate-by-the-fire day, but we were responsible to clean the church house. On the way, Vernon tried out a few slides and spins. I hung on and made few comments. I knew now that this was not necessary. If I didn’t get too excited maybe he would stop sooner. After we finished at the church house, I suggested the possibility of a smoother ride if I would drive home. He seemed happy with that. Maybe too happy, I realized later. Most of the ride home went well. The car didn’t slip or slide or do anything unexpected. I accelerated to the speed limit. Just before we reached the right-hand turn onto our road, I stepped lightly on the brakes. The car slid a little. My eyes widened as we did one smooth swirling slide around the curve and into the ditch. I didn’t have as much control as I thought I had. Vernon’s hand was on the parking brake. He must have noticed my excessive speed on the slippery road, and used it to slow us down when he saw my need for assistance. I was humbled. These roads were treacherous. I stayed in the driver’s seat long enough to help get the vehicle out of the ditch. He drove the rest of the way home. But the real humbling came the next day over lunch, when I overheard him telling some of his friends about the extra excitement the parking brake had afforded on our way home the day before. I looked at him, shocked. “You weren’t getting us stopped?” He stopped eating to gape at me. “Didn’t I tell you that you never use the parking brake on icy roads?” And then he understood why, when he had expected to be considered a prankster for such a stunt, I had treated him like a hero. Those days of feeling wise seem long ago. Nowadays I’m more likely to feel dismayed by my mental limitations. But in one particular area, I have gained understanding. I used to think it would be safer to sit by the fire sipping hot chocolate than driving in the snow. And now I know it is.

continued from page 17

That page from Judges is on my desk in our bedroom. Verse 6 is

highlighted in pink, and as I walk by, I ponder the words often. “Go in peace. The presence of the Lord be with you on your way.” It was my special message from God that morning, and my motto as we go from here. It does not promise that nothing heart-breaking will happen, that we’ll always be kept from harm. But the promise of peace and the Lord’s presence…what more could a mother ask for? You see, I have four more boys coming along.

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Food for Thought…

A Brief History of Processed Foods

by Regina Rosenberry

Guess what this ingredient list is (a favorite American snack): Ingredients: Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Flour, Reduced Iron, B Vitamins (Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folic Acid)], Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable and/or Animal Shortening (Soybean, Cottonseed and/or Canola Oil, Beef Fat), Whole Eggs, Dextrose. Contains 2% or Less of: Modified Corn Starch, Glucose, Leavenings (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate), Sweet Dairy Whey, Soy Protein Isolate, Calcium and Sodium Caseinate, Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin, Soy Flour, Cornstarch, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sorbic Acid (to retain freshness), Yellow 5, Red 40

If you guessed a Twinkie, you're right. Each Twinkie contains thirty-seven ingredients, but only a few of them are recognizable. There are five types of sugar in a Twinkie, and the cream center contains no cream. Steve Ettlinger, author of Twinkie Deconstructed, set out to decipher what the other ingredients used in a Twinkie were. His research led him to mining professionals, scientists, engineers, and former Hostess employees. He wrote, “...many of Twinkie's ingredients are more closely linked to rocks and petroleum than any of the four food groups.”

Now compare the above ingredient list with this one. Ingredients: Blueberries

Is there any doubt what you are buying and eating? Fruits and vegetables don't have ingredient list. Neither does a beef roast. Or oatmeal. They are just real food.

How did we get to the place where it takes thirty-seven ingredients to make one small cake?

World War I started and with it the need to find new ways to preserve foods for the war troops. New methods of processing, drying, and packaging food became popular and housewives relished the idea of all the time and food prep processed foods would save them. Wonder Bread entered the scenes, along with Van Camp's pork and beans, Reese's peanut butter cups, Wheaties, and Velveeta cheese.

In the 1920's women were tired of preparing foods from scratch, slaving over hot stoves, and ready-to-cook foods were becoming more available. Betty Crocker, who was a fictitious lady invented by General Mills, enters the scene. She was made to sound and seem like a real woman as a real cook in her kitchen. Betty Crocker cookbooks become popular and of course contained recipes that called for

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items the food companies were trying to sell such as jello, instant pudding, Velveeta cheese, and more.

With the start of World War II came more new ways of preserving food to feed its fighting soldiers. Because of the military research, many new convenience foods entered the picture like dehydrated juice, instant coffee, and cake mixes. Government subsidies for corn and soy gives the food industry an incentive to use these cheap ingredients, thus inventing the high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and modified corn starch. Farmers wanted in on the boom and began to use more fertilization and irrigation to increase crop yields. Processed foods quickly become the rage with the ease discovered of making them and the US is now issuing guidelines for adding iron, vitamin B and thiamine to grain products because of the loss of these nutrients. We enter the 1950's and with it the era of fast food restaurants on every street. With the new highways and interstates being built, processed foods are easily mass distributed and busy housewives love these ready-to-eat foods. This decade also sees the popularity of television and its glowing ads promising housewives to save them time by using these prepared foods. The FDA tries to keep up, requiring food manufacturers to prove the safety of new additives to these prepackaged foods but it seems to be a losing battle. New inventions seen this year are Cheez Whiz and Tang. The 1970's brought on the need for simple foods because of the economic challenges. Hamburger Helper, Stove Top Cooking, and McDonald’s Happy Meals appear. High fructose corn syrup is becoming widely used. And because of the weight Americans are gaining, “lite” food products are being introduced. The FDA approves of aspartame in 1974, and in the 1980's Crystal Light drink mixes and Diet Coke appears on the shelves. The USDA announces that pickle relish and ketchup can be counted as a vegetable in the school lunch program (gasp!), and the first GMO tomato is developed. The 1990's brought on the Nutrition Labeling Act which required all foods to include nutrition information. This year also brought the first genetically modified foods for sale and Americans are by now consuming large amounts of caloric sweeteners and getting fatter. Super-sized McDonald’s meals, Big Gulps and 25%-more packaging became the rage. Eggs are considered an evil and egg substitutes takes it's place. “Low-fat,” and “fat-free” is the popular diet. Butter and healthy oils are removed by food manufacturers and replaced with preservatives, artificial flavors and more sweeteners. The year 2000 ushers in the low-carb craze and the South Beach and Atkins diet plans have Americans cutting carbs. Food documentaries are beginning to warn us about what really is hiding in our processed foods. Doctors are concerned with the high rise of obesity and other health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and gluten intolerance that have risen with the consumption of prepackaged foods. Super-sized meals and drinks are disappearing, whole-grain becomes the new buzzword, and the FDA is requiring labels to include trans fat contents. Which brings us to today where processed foods still make up most of the grocery aisles. Yes, slow steps are being taken in providing better foods, but what

continued

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used to be considered convenience foods generations ago, now seems like a necessary staple. When it's lunch time, what do we grab? Bought bread, squeezable mayo, processed lunch meat. A bag of chips, granola bar, container of ranch dip, and presto, lunch is packed or on the table. But what do these foods have in common? They're all pre-packaged, processed, ready-to-go foods. Why in this modern day does it seem impossible to make meals without using such foods? Has it been an equal exchange? Has the time saved and ease of convenience been worth it? With the acceptance of fast-foods, processed, and pre-packaged foods, obesity and diabetes and heart issues have soared. And health experts are worried with the state of Americans' health. But in all fairness, we are busy moms with school schedules, household and garden work, and families. Some of us are wives of church leaders, school teachers, or business owners which creates extra demands on our already busy lives. I don't have time to make everything that I could (or would like to) make. And how could I know what was in the foods I had to buy? Then I discovered That Secret: reading ingredient lists. No longer do I blindly buy food items. I now can choose which brand contains the best ingredients. Yes, sometimes there is a price difference. But for me, it's worth the few cents more to provide a healthy option for my children while saving my sanity. And with the rise of discounted grocery stores, it makes purchasing good foods more affordable than ever before. So the next time you grocery shop, read that ingredient list. Buy brands that list mostly ingredients you know and can say, and the brand with the shortest ingredient list. For example, Walnut Creek sour cream lists nine ingredients, many which are food additives and fillers. Daisy, Breakstone, and Essential Everyday brands list only cream, milk, and enzymes as its ingredients. That's not a hard decision to make. Goya and other brands of canned black beans contain potassium chloride and calcium chloride along with their beans. I'm sorry, but I have no clue what those ingredients are. Nature's Promise and Essential Everyday canned black beans contains only beans, water and salt. Canned soup is another quick convenience I like to keep on hand. But many soups contain MSG, hydrolized soy proteins, and other food additives that are not food. Recently, I discovered that Campbell's soup is now making a brand called Well Yes! The ingredient list is only half the length of other soups, and everything listed is a food I know and recognize. I'm saying, “Yes!” Sadly, a healthy brand of cream soup is yet to be found. That's one convenience I'm still living without. Above all else, remember that the best foods are the ones with no ingredient list at all. That makes for easy shopping. And easy shopping is what this mama needs. Happy grocery shopping to you too!

Regina Rosenberry lives in Greencastle, PA with her husband Darwin, six

children, five cows, an old goat, four dogs, and two thousand stinkbugs. She pleasures in the Christmas season when fuzzy socks, fresh pine, cozy fires and a warm mug of coffee are a few of her favorite things. Forever twenty-nine at heart, she's her happiest when finding those hidden spots of beauty that leave her wordless. Contact her at regina.rosenberry@gmail.com.

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Across My

Kitchen Table… The following recipes come in response to a reader’s request for “granola bars that don’t require marshmallows to hold them together.” Enjoy!

For next time… a reader requests recipes and ideas for how to keep packed lunches from becoming humdrum. Sandwich

variations, baked things that pack well, fruit and veggie options, snack mixes …and more! Send them by February 15, 2019.

_____________________________________________

Delicious Granola Bars 2 eggs, beaten 2 cups brown sugar 1 cup oil ¾ cup peanut butter 1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt 4 cups oatmeal 1 cup flaked coconut 1 cup chocolate chips

Mix first six ingredients thoroughly; add remaining ingredients and mix well. Press into an ungreased 11x15-inch pan. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven when it still looks wet on top or bars will get hard.

Crystal Weaver, PA

Gritty Granola Bars Cream together: 1 cup butter, melted 3/8 cup honey 3/8 cup corn syrup ¾ cup crunchy peanut butter 1 cup brown sugar

Add: 5 cups oatmeal 1½ cups each sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, chocolate chips

Press firmly into a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Cut when warm and remove from pan when cool. Use your imagination and what you have on hand to determine what you add – raisins, craisins, wheat germ, wheat bran, M&M’s, chia seeds…it’s your choice of “grits.”

Cynthia Neuenschwander, OH

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No-Bake Granola Bars 4 cups oatmeal 2 cups Rice Krispies/Cheerios 1 cup dried fruit 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 cup unsweetened coconut ½ cup sunflower or pumpkin

seeds ¼ cup chia seeds

1 lb. peanut butter (1 7/8 cups) 1 cup honey 1 cup tahini ½ cup coconut oil 1 tsp. cinnamon ¼ cup molasses 2 tsp. vanilla ¼ tsp. salt

¼ cup flax seeds (ground) Mix first column of ingredients together in a large bowl.

Put remaining ingredients in a saucepan; heat and stir just until coconut oil is melted. Then pour over dry ingredients and mix well.

Press into two greased 9x13-inch pans. Refrigerate 3-4 hours before cutting. Wrap each bar individually and store in refrigerator.

Dolores Martin, PA

Chewy Granola Bars 1 cup brown sugar 2/3 cup peanut butter 1/3 cup syrup ½ cup margarine or butter 2 tsp. vanilla 3 cups oatmeal

½ cup coconut ½ cup sunflower seeds (opt.) ½ cup raisins 1/3 cup wheat germ (opt.) 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds (opt.) 1 cup chocolate chips

Blend first five ingredients well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Press evenly

in a 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or till lightly browned. Cut while still warm. Chewy and delicious!

Julia Rohrer, Colombia

Homemade Granola Bars 2 cups oatmeal ¾ cup wheat germ or flax meal

¾ cup sunflower seeds 1 cup crushed nuts

Toast 10-14 minutes at 350°, stirring every 3-5 minutes.

4 Tbsp. butter ½ cup brown sugar

1/3 – ½ cup honey 2 tsp. vanilla

Boil for one minute. Let cool. Add toasted ingredients and 1 cup chocolate

chips and 1 cup raisins. Mix well. Line a 9x13-inch pan with waxed paper (including up the sides). Press mixture firmly into pan and let cool completely. Lift out and cut with a butcher knife. Store in an airtight container.

Faith Zeiset, PA

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Fiber Bars

1 cup peanut butter 1 cup honey ½ cup ground flaxseed meal 2½ cups oatmeal 1 cup Rice Krispies

¼ tsp. salt ½ cup coconut ½ - 1 cup raisins, opt. ½ cup sunflower seeds, opt. ½ cup chocolate chips, opt.

Stir together. Press into a 9x13-inch pan. Refrigerate for several hours, then cut into bars. Store in refrigerator. I sometimes add a scoop or two of protein powder and vary the optional add-ins for variety.

Anita Weaver, PA

Healthful Snack Bars 2 cups peanut butter 2/3 cup honey 1/2 cup oat bran 2 cups raisins

1 cup sunflower seeds 1 1/2 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup wheat germ 2 cups rice krispies

In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter and honey together. Add

remaining ingredients and mix well. Press firmly into 9x13-inch pan. Refrigerate before cutting.

You may substitute chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut for any dry ingredients.

Brenda Steiner, WI

Granola Bars 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup molasses 2 tsp. vanilla 1 stick melted butter 2/3 cup peanut butter ½ cup raisins

3 cups oatmeal ½ cup coconut ½ cup sunflower seeds 1/3 cup wheat germ ½ cup chocolate chips

Mix in order given, stirring after each addition. Spread in a jelly roll pan and bake at 350° for 13-15 minutes.

Rachel Hege, PA

Granola Balls 4 cups quick oats 2/3 cup coconut oil or melted

butter 2/3 cup honey

2/3 cup apple butter 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup raisins

Mix well, shape into balls, and refrigerate till firm. Store in refrigerator. I usually make a double portion. Perfect for lunches!

Christine Hoover, PA

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Tête-à-Tête…

___________________________________________________________________

The poems, articles, and quotes related to thankfulness in the

November issue were excellent. Probably all of us have so much more

than we need, but I, for one, have not attained to continuous

thankfulness! The Lord, not my circumstances, is what should be my

grounds for rejoicing. If I, like Paul in prison, can be joyful in situations

that aren’t ideal and be joyful in all the Lord has given me, I’ll be a

thankful person.

Dorcas Detweiler, PA

I enjoyed Flo’s article on extraordinary wealth – the wealth of

caring friends! We too have been on the receiving end a number of

times and know how much it means to have friends who help bear our

burdens. How do those who have no church family, friends, or God

cope in a time of difficulty? Are we thankful enough for this blessing? It

always makes me want to do my part in returning the favor to others

that have needs. This seems to come more naturally for some than for

others but we don’t need to wait till we see a big need to help. Let’s

have our eyes open to see even the seemingly small burdens others

may have and not be afraid to show them we care.

Marilyn Weaver, PA

Thanks for a cheery, upbeat issue! It was chockfull of reminders

of how blessed we are.

Thanks especially to Hali for sharing your story. It’s easy to get

uptight when we’re in public with our little ones. We want to get our

mission accomplished before our children’s fine-tuned behavior falls

apart. I want to take the time to enjoy the shopping trips. That way

when heads turn to look at the three little blond boys in my cart, they’ll

encounter a smiling mama, and maybe the conversation can go

beyond the blue eyes to the God who gave them!

Phyllis Eby, AZ

“Tête-à-tête” (tāt ə ‘tāt) is a

French word which conveys the

idea of a cozy, friendly chat

between two people. I like the

connotation! Please allow us to

include your name unless it

truly is a sensitive issue.

Page 27

Thank-you to all the writers! I enjoyed my November issue from

beginning to end.

I read with interest the discussion on mothers playing with their

children. I still find it a challenge, though our oldest is five now and it’s

not the constant problem it was when he was little. He loves to play

games and often begs me to play with him.

“The Stranger’s Blessing” reminded me of a couple

experiences we had recently. My husband had a customer who made

some very negative comments when she heard he had three children

before he was thirty. A couple days later I was at a store with the

children, when the gentleman behind me in line asked if the children

were all mine. I said “yes,” expecting him to be negative, but he said,

“It’s a wonderful stage to be in.” I agreed, “Yes, we enjoy it.” That

encounter did me good. Not that we let the world’s view of having a

family influence us, but it’s nice to know not everyone looks down on

me when I go shopping.

Bethany Rudolph, MD

Some time back someone wrote in asking for a solution to take

out sharpie marker. I don't think there was a response, and I remember

thinking it is called permanent for a reason. Well, recently I discovered

a miracle worker in L.A. Awesome. It can be purchased in a spray

bottle at Family Dollar or Dollar General for a dollar. This spray can be

safely used on upholstered furniture. With almost no scrubbing, the

scribbles made by my two-year-old with a sharpie marker on the

recliner and end table disappeared. I thought this information may be

an asset to others.

Stephanie Leinbach, IN

Minute Meditations…

“But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob…” (Isaiah 43:22)

Any issue big enough for care is big enough for prayer. God is

not too great for my trivialities. I must seek His

Assistance

Is it simply peanut butter

Smeared on walls that makes you mutter?

It is not too small a matter.

Call on One Whose word can shatter

Trifle’s trouble

Into rubble. -Lydia Hess

Page 28

This I Know

I do not know what next may come Across my pilgrim way;

I do not know tomorrow's road, Nor see beyond today.

But this I know -- my Saviour knows The path I cannot see;

And I can trust His wounded hand To guide and care for me.

I do not know what may befall, Of sunshine or of rain;

I do not know what may be mine, Of pleasure and of pain;

But this I know -- my Saviour knows And whatsoe'er it be

Still I can trust His love to give What will be best for me.

I do not know what may await, Or what the morrow brings;

But with the glad salute of faith, I hail its opening wings;

For this I know -- that in my Lord Shall all my needs be met;

And I can trust the heart of Him, Who has not failed me yet.

-E. Margaret Clarkson