Get Ready to Make a Difference in Your Family with Generations Quest!

When you look at the world in which we live, do you wonder how the children you love will be able to maneuver around and through the many, “land-mines” which surround them? Do you wonder how they will be able to grow up as children, then teens, and eventually adults who love, know and walk with God, when everything around them seems to be focused upon keeping them from doing so? Do you feel concerned when you think about how these children, who you love with all your heart, will ever make the choice to turn their backs on the values and temptations of the world and instead make the choice to hold firmly to God?

grandma's cookbook - Popcorn! Popcorn! Popcorn!

My grandsons spend almost every Saturday night at my house for a sleepover and after supper my oldest grandson (almost 16) nearly always asks if I would mind fixing him popcorn . . . which of course, the answer always is, I am very happy to do so! His two brothers and poppa join in on the wanting popcorn, so it is popcorn for everyone. I usually make kettle corn for my youngest grandson, butter popcorn for my middle grandson, and then my oldest grandson and husband have my popped in olive oil and sprinkled with Himalayan pink salt popcorn. 

The "Receiver" of "Treasure"!

I have been the "receiver" of great "treasures"! When my grandsons were little, they often brought me these "treasures" - flowers (or, since they often were dandelions, as they are more often classified, weeds!), enormous, dry, dead, brown Sycamore tree leaves ("Grandma, these leaves are dead, but they are SO cool!!!") and little green leaves ("These are leaves, grandma!!!"). I also received the "treasure" of hearing jokes, riddles, and stories (all told with a big smile and a twinkle in the eyes!!!). And, of course, hugs, kisses, raspberries, and snuggles!

From One Generation to the Next

I have always found a reading of the Old Testament to be exciting . . . and heartbreaking. You have real people and how their real lives were impacted and changed when they came to know and walk with God; such as David. He went from being a lowly shepherd boy to being the King of Israel. Yes, there were a lot of years between the two, but he knew and walked with God; even as a young teen . . . so much so he was able to trust God to fight for him when facing a giant none of the older soldiers in the army were willing to fight . . . they just ran and hid! He knew, walked with and trusted God to keep him through the years when he was being chased by Saul. Yes, he made some really horrible choices over the years, but when faced with his sin he turned from it and asked God for forgiveness and grace. He wrote the Psalms and modeled for us, even today – how to talk with God as well as how to worship and praise Him!Yet, in spite of the amazing way David knew and walked with God, his children did not follow and share in his love for God. This is the heartbreaking part. If you spend time looking at the kings of Israel and Judah, some followed God and then in a generation or two they turned their backs on God. If you read Psalm 78 you see how over and over the Israelites walked with God and then forgot Him. Something bad happened and they turned back to God and then in a generation or two they forgot Him again.

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Purse!

I like purses and I enjoy crocheting, so from time to time I decide to crochet myself a new purse! I have a number of purses, but since I crochet them - often from yarn I have left over from other projects - this is something I do to "treat" myself!

I thought I'd share with you one of these purses today. I browsed on Pinterest looking for ideas. I knew I wanted to make a purse with a "quilt-like" look and ended up making a log cabin square, pinwheel square and patchwork square! I crocheted a simple lining and used one square for the front of the purse, another for the back and then the third for the flap. I'm very happy with the finished purse!

Today is Just Because Day!

You may be wondering, "So, what is 'Just Because Day'?" National Today dot com says, "On August 27, you won’t need a reason to celebrate. All you need is National Just Because Day. Why? Well, just because. If you want to make spaghetti for breakfast wearing last year’s Halloween costume, more power to you. If you want to climb a tree as an adult, take the risk. It’s a day to stop worrying about the whys." Sounds fantastic to me - not the spaghetti for breakfast or climbing a tree, but I am thinking of things I might do - just because!

On Just Because Day, feel free to do something without any rhyme or reason - such as . . .

Today is National Dog Day!

Today is National Dog Day, most of my married life we had dogs - mostly basset hounds, which are SUCH a wonderful breed of dog! My grandsons have two dogs, and until last year my daughter had a sweet basset as well, so in this family, every day is "Dog Day"! But since today is a special day to celebrate, let's look at some fun dog facts - did you know . . .

crafting with grandma . . . Granny Square Cat!

I was browsing on Pinterest and saw a very cute pattern for a granny square cat! If I had a granddaughter, I'd make one for her . . . I might modify it and make a dog or monster for my grandsons . . . if I do, I'll post photos and the modified pattern for you! But for now, I'll share this pattern so if you want to make one, you'll have the links! (If you follow the links you'll find a photo tutorial to help you make your own granny square cat!)

Hand Down the Faith with a Mystery Bag Project - God Knows What the Future Holds

We, and the children we love, are living in what is most certainly able to be considered an uncertain time. But, while we do not know what all to expect from day to day, we do know God has good things in store for us and we are able to pray the ones we love will be able to see those, "good things". 

Grandparents Day Footprint Hearts!

I love hand and foot print crafts, so when I was browsing on Pinterest the other day and saw this cute idea for footprint Valentines, I had to share it with you! All you need is paper, paint and of course, little feet! While of course it is a craft which "fits" well with Valentine's Day, since I know many moms read this blog, it is also a fantastic craft for you to make with the children you love for their grandparents - it is a wonderful Grandparents Day (September 8, 2024) craft for sure!

Grandparents Day Gifts - Praying Deeper Books

Praying for our grandchildren (and children) is something we all know we need to do, but it is also something with which many of us struggle. We may feel like our prayers do not even make it through the ceiling above us and do not know what to say or how to pray. Our lives are busy, so finding the time to pray can be a challenge which we may not overcome and then days go by without us spending time in prayer.

Today is National Waffle Day!

I have grandsons and the one who is 16 absolutely enjoys waffles. When he spends the night at our house (typically once a week) he almost always has waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage links, and coffee for breakfast! He would say every day should be Waffle Day, but happily, today is Waffle Day! Let's look at some Waffle Fun Facts - did you know . . .

Grandma - You DO Make a Significant Difference!

I wrote a book, the DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith  (available at this link) for grandparents (and parents) and in one chapter I share some of the history of Fanny Crosby - today I'm sharing a bit of it with you. 

He is Darth Vader. I can NOT hug him!

Don't you just love it when your grandchildren show their imagination? Well, eight years ago when my youngest grandson was three, he looked at his Poppa and said; "I'm Kenobi, Kenobi." Then ran at him to attack! Apparently Kenobi, Kenobi (Obi Wan Kenobi) decided Poppa was Darth Vadar and had to attack him! Kenobi, Kenobi did very well - defeated Darth Vadar. I asked him if Poppa might be tired (after about 20 minutes of running full bore at poppa, arms - light sabers - flailing) and maybe he was in need of a hug. To which he said (rather indignantly) "He is NOT Poppa. He is Darth Vadar. I can NOT hug him!" Of course he can not!