Website for Christmas Gifts

If you're not sure what to get a family member or friend for Christmas, have a look at the Vision Forum website. They have lots of great Christian books as well as sermons and lectures on CD, family DVDs and toys.

My picks include:

Family Strategies: How to Build a Healthy Family Culture in Your Home

How to Develop Character in Your Children

The Duggar Family DVD and Book Set

A Soul is of Countless Price

"If there existed only one man or woman who did not love the Savior, and if that person lived among the wilds of Siberia, and if it were necessary that all the millions of believers on the face of the earth should journey there, and every one of them plead with him to come to Jesus before he could be converted, it would be well worth all the zeal, labor, and expense. If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be full reward for all our labor, for a soul is of countless price.” - Charles Spurgeon

The Baby Blue Vest

This adorable little vest has quite a story behind it. I was in the foyer of a hospital this morning, waiting for my husband to come out of a minor operation. While I waited I passed the time by entertaining my 9 month old son who was with me and also reading snippets of a book on talking to strangers about Jesus ("One Thing You Can't do in Heaven" by Mark Cahill - it's fantastic!).

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Anyway, as I was reading I looked up and saw two ladies standing at the admissions counter. The younger lady looked to be in her late thirties and the older one maybe in her fifties. I assumed that they were probably mother and daughter. I only looked at them for a moment but I felt like God said to me, "I want you to go and give those ladies $20". To be honest I had felt like God asked me to give other people money a couple of times in the past and I had not obeyed.

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Anyway, I was pretty sure I had a $20 note in my purse so I stood up and started to walk towards them. Then I got scared and started to walk out the front entrance door. I felt like God was really saying, "Go back and obey me". So I got my purse out and looked inside. I didn't have a $20 note in there, only two $10 notes. So I said to God, "I don't have a $20, it won't look nice to give them two $10 notes" - which is so ridiculous that it makes even me laugh.

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Well, I walked in and out that front door about six times. I'm sure people were staring at me. Finally I took the money out of my purse and held it in my hand. I walked over to where the daughter was standing at the admissions desk (the mother had gone to the coffee shop nearby). I stood behind her waiting for her to finish talking to the receptionist. She kept talking and again I lost my nerve. I am ashamed to say that I stuffed the money into my pocket, walked out the front door and kept walking. I said to God, "If I see them again today I will give them the money".

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Thankfully, the story doesn't end there. It was a lovely morning so I pushed my boy in the pram up the street. I wasn't familiar with the area so we walked for quite a while and found some shops. I wandering through a couple of shops and then headed back to the hospital.

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As soon as I walked through the front door of the hospital, who should I see sitting on the lounges in the waiting area - the two ladies. I walked over to them quickly before I lost my nerve and said, "This might sound crazy but I feel like God wants me to give you this money". I handed them the $20. They were very surprised and very kind and told me that they couldn't accept the money. I told them that I really needed to give it to them, God had asked me to and I needed to do it.

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The mother asked me what religion I was. "I'm a Christian," I replied. The ladies again insisted that I take the money back and I said that I had to find my husband who had had an operation and I hope they have a good day. The daughter followed me and said, "I saw a little outfit in the window over there and I said earlier that if I have a son I would love for him to wear something like that. I want you to take the money and buy the outfit for your little boy". I told her that it wasn't necessary as he had lots of clothes, but them the nurse came out and called the daughter in to prepare for her surgery. She pleaded with me again to take the money and placed it in my son's pram. I thanked her and assured her that I would buy the outfit for him.

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I went to the shop and bought the little vest and put it on my son. Can you guess how much it cost? Yes, it was $20. I am not making this up!! I thanked God and prayed that He would work in those ladies' lives.

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Anyway, a few hours later, I saw the mother again upstairs. It didn't register with me at first, but she had been crying. I walked up to her and said, "Here is the vest!" She was so happy and surprised. Before I could say anything else a doctor came up behind me to talk to her. I said goodbye and as I walked away I heard the doctor say, "It was as we suspected. Your daughter had a circuit problem in a valve in her heart. We caught it just in time." I didn't see either lady again after that but God, in His grace and mercy even allowed me to see why He had chosen those ladies to bless today. They obviously needed His blessing. I hope that if you've made it this far through the story that you will pray for the salvation of those ladies. And praise the awesome God that we serve!

"My Friend", by D.J. Higgins

My friend, I stand in judgment now,
And feel that you're to blame somehow.
On this earth I walked with you day by day,
And never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim,
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together here on earth,
You never told me of your second birth.
And now I stand this day condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that's true;
I called you friend and trusted you.
But now I learned, now it's too late,
You could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the light.
You let me live, love and die,
You knew I'd never live on high.

Yes, I called you friend in life,
And trusted you in joy and strife.
Yet in coming to this dreadful end,
I cannot now call you "my friend".

Source

Image: Evgeni Dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Cooking with Children

Cooking with children can be a fun experience that creates natural learning opportunities and sweet memories. Or it can be a stressful, unpleasant experience that ends in tears. Here are some tips to help make it fun for everybody.

1. Before you start, take a moment to make sure your heart is right. If you have been dreading the thought of teaching your children how to cook,or you are worried about the mess or lack of time, you will find it much harder to keep your patience and sense of humour. Think of it as a chance to have fun with your kids and maybe even produce something yummy at the end.

2. Choose a morning or afternoon when you have lots of time. Cooking with kids will take a lot longer than cooking by yourself.

3. Put on some fun music and maybe even a pretty apron. Make sure your kitchen is clean so that you're not trying to work around last night's dirty dinner plates.

4. Gather up all the ingredients and utensils before you start. Nothing causes frustration faster than getting half-way through a recipe only to discover that you have to race up to the shop because you've run out of sugar.

5. Choose a meal that is fun to make and one that your child will enjoy eating at the end.

6. Read through the recipe with your child and explain that there are ingredients and a method. Let them try to find the ingredients in the cupboard or fridge if they are old enough.

7. Let them participate in each part of the process by giving them age-appropriate tasks. For example, give them a mini bowl with part of the mixture in it and let them stir it, then add it back into the big bowl with the remaining mixture. When cooking with little kids, it may be better if you measure out the ingredients then let them pour each one into the bowl.


8. Don't worry if the food doesn't turn out so nice, it's the time spent together that matters.

9. Remember to make it fun for them - laugh and praise your child often.

Fun Food for Kids E-book

I am so excited to announce the release of my e-cookbook "Fun Food For Kids". It has 44 recipes, each with a beautiful colour photo and step-by-step instructions.

This cookbook full of foods that are fun for kids to make and eat. Each recipe has been made in the shape of an animal, an object or a face. Some of the recipes include :

* a rocket

* a spider

* a monster

* a butterfly

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* a sailboat

* a car race

* a clock

....and many more.

There is also a whole section dedicated to vegetables. So if you have trouble getting your kids to eat broccoli, potato, carrot etc, then try making some of these recipes and see the difference.

I know your kids will enjoy the recipes in this book so grab a copy now for only $3.95 (USD). Just click on the BUY NOW button below and you can download it instantly!

If you think you will go to heaven because you're a good person...

... then you really need to watch this video.

This video would also be good to watch if you want to know what to say to a non-Christian who thinks they are going to heaven because of their good works.

The Duggar Family

If you're a fan of the Duggar family then you might like some of these websites below:

Fan Blog - This mother and daughter blogging team keep us up-to-date on what the Duggars are doing.

Michelle Duggar's Blog - Michelle writes about a variety of topics relating to family and faith.

The Duggar Family Website

Josh and Anna's Website

Watch episodes of "19 Kids and Counting".

Listen to an interview Michelle and Jim Bob did with Focus on the Family.

What is a Christian?

In this article, Shaun Groves explains simply and clearly what it means to be a Christian.

"Jesus is not in need of my acceptance – I am in desperate need of His. And in response to His acceptance of me I call Him “Lord.” I repent, or shift my allegiance, from my comfort and happiness, from my will and my way, to Him. Jesus is Lord – Master – King!"

Definitely worth reading.

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Photo by graur razvan ionut

Book Review: "Birth Skills"

When I first became pregnant my younger sister, who had given birth to a baby 8 months before, told me to buy the book "Birth Skills" by Juju Sundin. I was very skeptical that it could do anything to help but she kept insisting that I read it just in case I found anything that helped during labour. I read the whole book a couple of weeks before I went into labour and I am so glad that I did.

At the beginning of the book the author says these things:

"Labour pain is healthy pain. As labour progresses and the pain really established its presence, there will be no time to make decisions about how you will handle each contraction..." "... it is essential that you understand that labour pain is healthy pain. It is caused by the uterine muscle actually working." pg. 7

All the skills that she teaches in the book are based around this principle:

"If you bombard your nervous system with non-painful thoughts and physical and emotional actions, you can dull your pain further through distraction and redirected focus of attention".

Basically what that means is that if, when you are in pain, you can take your mind off the pain or distract yourself in some way, you won't focus on the pain as much and it won't feel so bad. Also, if you are focusing on the pain, you tend to panic and freeze up. If you have something else to focus on then you feel more in control.

When we are in labour adrenalin is pumping through our body like crazy.

So... what can you do to take your mind off the pain? When labour first begins it is important to try and rest - you don't want to wear yourself out too early. Once the pain is more intense, try any or all of these strategies.

1. Focus on your legs not your pain.
* Use the movement of your legs to burn off adrenalin and take your mind off the pain.

2. Breathing and vocalisation
"Simple: pain makes you hold your breath! If you hold your breath in the first stage of labour you make the pain worse". pg. 49

3. Visualisation.
* Visualise images or events in your mind.

4. Stress balls.
* Squeeze or bang the balls together to help get your mind off the pain.

5. Keywords
* Repeat words or phrases over and over.

My Final Tips

1. Pray. Pray before you go into labour and during labour. Ask God to give you strength and peace.

2. Take some comforting verses from the Bible in with you to read or memorise a couple of verses to say over and over in your head.

3. When you get to the hospital inform the doctor or midwives of your desire for a natural birth. Ask them not to offer pain medication unless you ask for it or unless it is medically necessary.

4. If you are induced and the pain starts quickly, start using the strategies straight away if you need to. If you find one or more birth skill isn't working for you try something else. (I told my husband about the skills and he reminded me of different things to try when he could see that something wasn't helping).

5. If you have tried everything to help with the pain, do not feel like a failure if you need medication. Every labour and birth is different, no one should judge your way of doing things.

6. Nothing comes before the safety of the baby and the mother so listen to the advice of the midwives and doctors. The end goal is to have your beautiful baby healthy and safe in your arms. It doesn't matter so much how they get there.

7. If you still have a few days left before you go into labour, try and sit forward with your legs apart as much as possible on a lounge or on a fit ball (as opposed to lying down or putting your feet up). This will encourage the baby to be facing the right way when it comes out which makes labour easier.

180 Movie: Everyone needs to watch it!

Wow!! I just watched "180", the movie by Ray Comfort and Living Waters ministries. It was incredible. Before I became a Christian a few years ago I admit that I would have answered the questions about abortion like a lot of the people in this film. I could have come up with scenarios when abortion would have been justified. But killing a baby in the womb for whatever reason is murder. I really hope you will watch this movie as well.

http://180movie.com/

Family-Friendly DVD Series

I stumbled across the Love Comes Softly DVD series a few years ago and loved it. In case you haven't heard of it, there are 8 movies based on the series of books written by Janette Oke. The movies are written and directed by Michael Landon Jr, and are set in the 19th Century.

The main character Marty travels west with her husband to try and find some land where they can build up a farm and begin a family. Tragically though, Marty's husband is killed and she must make the difficult decision about whether to stay out west or return to her family. The other movies in the series then tell the story of Marty's family as it grows and changes through the years.

This series is family-friendly and I can't wait until my children get a bit older and we can all snuggle up on the couch and watch the series together.

I'm so excited because I heard the other day from my Sugar Pie Sista DeNiece that they have made two more movies in the series, Love Begins and Love's Everlasting Courage (which will come out later in the year). Hooray!

The Way of the Master

The Way of the Master website has a lot of great resources that teach Christians how to share the Gospel with non-Christians. There are free videos that show you how to answer difficult questions and how to point people to their need for a Saviour. You can also buy tracts and books and even get personal training at the Evangelism Training Academy.

Cedarmont Kids DVDs

If you're looking for a fun, Christian sing-along DVD for kids then I recommend the Cedarmont Kids Collection. We have Bible Songs, Sunday School Songs and Action Bible Songs and our two year old daughter loves them. She has quickly learnt the words to some of her favourite songs such as "Jesus Loves Me", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Down in My Heart". Each DVD is approximately 30 minutes long and shows children singing the songs in different settings.

The Book Depository

If you love ordering books online but hate paying huge shipping costs then have a look at The Book Depository. They have FREE shipping on all books to anywhere in the world and most of the books that I have looked up have also been cheaper to buy than other websites. Enjoy!