Did you just find out that you’re expecting a girl or a boy?  Frost with white frosting and serve cake slices or cupcakes as a creative way to announce the big news!

Ingredients:

1 white cake mix

Food coloring (blue or red)

Mix up the white cake mix according to directions.  Pour 2/3 of the cake mix into the prepared pan.  Mix the appropriate food coloring (you know: red/pink for girls, blue for boys) into the remaining 1/3 cake mix.  Make sure you use enough to get a strong color, or the layer will be too subtle.  If you are making a pink cake, start with just 2 drops and test the color so you don’t accidentally end up with a red layer!

Pour the blue (or pink) cake mix on top of the white mix and use a knife to gently swirl the color through the cake; don’t mix it in completely.  Bake according to directions.

When the cake is cooled, frost it with white, blue, or pink frosting of your choice.

Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: Passing on a Legacy of Faith

Carole Puryear!

Congratulations Carole on winning our giveaway of Lydia Harris’ new book, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting.  Thank you to Lydia Harris for your wonderful book!

True Random Number Generator Min:

“Schooldays, schooldays, good old Golden Rule days . . . ”

Every year when the morning air carries a hint of coolness and school buses begin to wind their way through neighborhood streets, I recall again my schooldays. And seldom do I think of high school that I don’t think of Donald.

Alphabetically linked, Donald and I sat in the same row in the same homeroom in our freshman year. It was a traumatic time for all of us. Mixed with the euphoria of finally being in high school was the stigma of being the lowest class. Maybe we tried harder to be “somebody” because of it. But, as often happens, for some to feel bigger, some had to be made to feel smaller.

In our class, Donald was a natural target. His skin was swarthy, his eyebrows jutting, his short frame stooped, the back of his hands covered with thick, dark hair. Donald’s simian-like appearance was duly noted and used against him. He didn’t seem surprised. Ridiculed his entire life, he must have known instinctively how he would be treated in a new school. He scuffled through the halls slowly, head lowered and eyes down to avoid scornful glances.

I don’t know what made me go against the unspoken code that had declared Donald persona non grata. It could have been a protective nature toward small helpless creatures. But probably it was an empathy gained from having been on the receiving end of ridicule more than once. When I said “Hello,” he would answer shyly with a quick glance around to make sure I was speaking to him. While we weren’t actually friends, we were becoming acquainted.

One morning Donald wasn’t in the seat behind me as he always was. To a strangely quiet class, the teacher read a carefully-worded announcement. Donald, an epileptic, had suffered a grand mal seizure in a class the day before. His mother had been called and had taken him home. Distraught with embarrassment and swearing that he would never return to school, he had locked himself in his room. There he took his father’s shotgun, placed the barrel in his mouth, and pulled the trigger.

We had a minute of silence for Donald. Several faculty members attended his funeral. Our yearbook printed a dedication to him under his picture with his 14-year lifespan recorded.

All too little, much too late.

Donald was a gentle soul. He would not have thought of bringing a gun to school and shooting the classmates who rejected him. Instead, he destroyed what he could not face: his own life as he saw it reflected in the eyes of others. It was–as the death of any child is–a terrible waste.

In the wake of school violence today, many have suggested posting the 10 Commandments on school walls to help stop the violence and bring moral teaching back into what has become a moral-free zone. While it couldn’t hurt to have the 10 Commandments posted, Donald’s story reminds me that another biblical injunction needs to precede a prohibition against killing. In what we call the Golden Rule, Jesus taught us how to treat other people: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31, NIV). Who knows how much tragedy could be averted if everyone followed that profoundly simple admonition?

It has been almost 50 years since Donald died. Someday I may recall my schooldays without thinking of him, but I hope not. I need to remember. There are still a lot of Donalds around.

Copyright 1999

Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: Passing on a Legacy of Faith

Today’s the last day to enter our giveaway of Lydia’s first book—Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: For Grandparents at Any Stage of the Journey. If you’d like to win a free copy, please leave a comment by midnight tonight. This would make a wonderful gift, so even if you are not a grandparent, don’t miss this opportunity!

On Tuesday, September 7th, MMCW will announce one winner using Random.org. The winner will have three business days to email mentoringmoments@aol.com with her mailing address. I will ship your new book directly to you.

Let your family and friends know about the giveaway!

Our most dangerous problem in marriage we may not even see.  Pride is the underlying cause of all marriage problems — big and small.  Its easy to see our spouse’s shortcomings and be blind to our own.

One test of spiritual pride is how little mercy we show our spouse.  Pride devalues our marriage and makes us feel entitled to more.  Pride is the equivalent of despising God and His Word.

To defeat pride:
1.  We must humble ourselves before God and our spouse.
2.  We need to ask God to show us the true condition of our heart.
3.  We need to ask Christ to empty our heart of all but love.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…He humbled Himself.” Philippians 2:5, 8

Remember, marriage is for better for worse for keeps.

My four-year-old grandson, Owen, and I love to read together when we travel. While Grandpa chauffeurs us, we sit together in the back seat reading stories.  What Will I Be When I Grow Up? by Susan Snyder and illustrated by Valeria Cis, is one of the books we recently enjoyed. Written for children from preschool to third grade, it includes colorful paintings of people in nine different careers.

Each two-page spread asks, “Will I be . . .” and mentions a different vocation, such as a nurse, farmer, hairstylist, or builder. The response to each question is, “Maybe, but even if I’m not . . .” and then includes something the child can do, along with a Bible verse that emphasizes that thought. For example, for one vocation, Snyder asks, “Will I be an author and write interesting stories for children to read?” She answers, “Maybe, but even if I’m not . . . I can write notes and cards and send them to people to cheer them up.” The verse to accompany that thought is Hebrews 3:13, “Encourage one another daily.”

As Owen and I read the book, we discussed each page. In response to the question about becoming an author, we talked about how much fun it is to receive mail. When we arrived home, I supplied Owen with paper, crayons, and scissors, and he cheerfully “wrote” notes (pictures and his signature) to his cousins, and I mailed them.

What Will I Be When I Grow Up? plants the seed that no matter what the child becomes, the most important thing is to live his or her life to please God.

What Will I Be When I Grow Up?: How God Made Me Somebody Special

Everyone wins when children are able to develop close ties to their grandparents. Here are some ways that mothers can encourage a relationship between their parents or in-laws and their children.

* If grandparents live far away, consider starting a family blog. I have a blog that is only accessible to our extended family. I use it to upload current digital photos and notes about milestones and birthdays. When someone loses a tooth or makes a big tackle, photos go on the blog.

* We try to call faraway grandparents regularly and give each child a chance to talk. They love sharing their heart with grandma and grandpa. For the little ones, I sit near the phone so I can “interpret,” as it can be hard for grandparents to understand what they are saying. Older children can email their grandparents.

* We prioritize spending time together. We invite nearby grandparents on day trips or we get together for dinner. My mother-in-law lives far away, so she has often taken vacations with us. This gives the kids extra time with her and enables them to build special memories together. Most summers I take the kids and stay with her for a few weeks, even if my husband is not available to come along. Other times she comes here and spends extended time with us.

* My own mother lives nearby, having moved across the country to be near our family. She takes the children one at a time for overnight visits, in order to have one-on-one time with each of them.

* Let grandparents pass on their own skills and hobbies. My children have done woodworking and gone camping with their grandfathers.

* When we read a special book, we often send a copy to my dad for his birthday. The kids like knowing that grandpa is enjoying the same book they read.

* Older children can take time to serve their grandparents, raking leaves or helping run a garage sale. It is important that their relationship be “give and take,” not just “take”.

* Grandparents enjoy getting mail from their grandchildren. Have your child send a postcard from your vacation destination or a care package “just because.”

* Teach your children games that their grandparents enjoy. My kids love playing dominoes and rummy with their grandparents.

* If your children are involved in sports, make sure local area grandparents have a copy of the schedule. They may enjoy stopping by practice or watching the games, and your children will appreciate having one more fan in the stands.

Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: Passing on a Legacy of Faith

On Father’s Day 2010, we welcomed our fifth grandchild. And now in September, I’m pleased to also announce the birth of my first book—Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: For Grandparents at Any Stage of the Journey. If you’d like to win a free copy of my “new baby,” please leave me a comment by midnight on September 6th.

On Tuesday, September 7th MMCW will announce one winner using Random.org. The winner will have three business days to email mentoringmoments@aol.com with their mailing address. I will ship your new book directly to you.

Let your family and friends know about the giveaway!

“If I would have known grandchildren were going to be so much fun, I would have had them first.”

Though author Lydia E. Harris didn’t pen that phrase, her love for grandparenting permeates her new book, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting. A book so rich in heartwarming stories, timeless wisdom, and creative suggestions, grandparents of any age or stage will want to apply the concepts immediately.

This six-week Bible study includes all the necessary Bible passages printed in the book along with thought-provoking questions. Chapter topics help grandparents prepare for their new roles, not only to invest in their grandchildren’s lives but to make an eternal impact. Practical and fun ideas encourage them to celebrate the joy of grandparenting, and the innovative charts will prove valuable for years to come.

With five grandchildren ages newborn to eleven,  Lydia understands the excitement of grandparenting but is also realistic. The week on “Preparing for Joy and Tears” offers hope and comfort to those who haven’t found grandparenting to be all fun and games.

Lydia’s MA in Home Economics with an emphasis in family relationships and years as a teacher and writer provide her background for writing this study. Now she has presented a clear, easy-to-follow, inspiring study—time-tested on her family.

This resource is full of ways to connect with your grandkids and God at the same time. Grandparents who tested the study loved gathering to share and fellowship.

Consider this new release as a gift for grandparents or as a study for your church or community. For more information or to join Lydia’s grandparenting blog, go to: www.preparingmyheart.net.

Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: Passing on a Legacy of Faith

Ann Marie Stewart is a freelance writer in Virginia and the author of Preparing My Heart for Advent, Preparing My Heart for Easter, and Preparing My Heart for Motherhood.

Fall sports and music practices are underway. Between practices and work, many families are eating on the run during the week. Besides getting old quick, fast food is more expensive and less healthy than a meal prepared at home. Of course with back-to-back practices that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Here are some tips and recipes to save time, money, and eat healthy during the weeks when life seems to be lived out of the car.

* On practice days, keep a stocked cooler in the trunk with juice boxes and bottled water. Even if you go through a drive-thru for your meal, you can save several dollars on just the drinks.

* Pre-package your own chips, veggies, and snacks on the weekends. One bag of chips can be divided into 10 or 12 plastic baggies. A bag of mini-carrots will divide into about six baggies. A large bag of trail mix will make 10 to 12 one-cup portions.

* Keep a basket stocked with napkins, plastic utensils, and a few plastic grocery bags (to use as trash bags). Here’s my basket and I just love it. It’s collapsible, the handle folds down, and it’s lightweight too!

* Who says sandwiches have to be dull? Instead of loaf bread, use pita or make rollups with flat bread. Chicken and tuna salad are fun. Check out some of the new seasoned meats from Boar’s Head. My family loves their Ever Roast and BBQ Chicken–it’s replaced our usual smoked turkey. Dress sandwiches up with a fun condiment such as Boar’s Head’s PepperHouse Gourmaise –even my six-year-old likes it. No, I am not being paid to give Boar’s Head a shout-out, just sharing what my family enjoys on sandwich nights. Yes, it is a bit pricer than other deli meat, but 1 lb of meat, bread, and some chips is still cheaper than a drive through for our family of six–and equals a couple of meals.

* Insulated thermoses are perfect for soup or chili on the go. Something as simple as creamy tomato soup and cheese sandwiches is great for a nippy fall night. Here are a few more ideas: beef stew, taco soup, pasta (yes, even spaghetti works in a thermos!), B-B-Q pork or chicken (spoon onto buns), and chicken & rice. Heat everything in the microwave or oven and spoon into thermos before heading out the door.

* When you do eat out, know where all the kids-eat-free and special value nights are located. You can check your area at Kids Eat Free too.

How do you save money on hectic weeknights?