September 2008

Tis the season for Apples! I love this change of the seasons when the new fruits are ready for pickin' and the leaves begin to change. This fall my family will be going to Apple Hill to tour some of the Apple Orchards and we'll be studying the anatomy of the apple and all the health benefits.

Today as I walked outside I could feel the cooler breeze rush up to me and I lifted my arms and took a deep breath! I really enjoy this time of year! Not only is the weather cooling down, but the trees are becoming so vibrant with color! Speaking of color, how do you like the new layout? Megan Farrow donated this digiscrap set to us and I LOVE the colors! It truly reminds me of the beauty God gives us every fall.

With this new season we also see children gear up for their new year of education as well. For those attending a school, we will be praying for you as you are used as a beacon to your classmates of the Lord Jesus. Not everyone has the opportunity to homeschool and we pray for your safety and for your testimony as the salt in this world.

For those who are in home education, we pray that you will have many opportunities to learn and grow as individuals under your parents leadership. We greatly admire parents who have made home education possible for their children. In the upcoming weeks you will be reading more about what we plan to do here at GGM to honor a special mom who home educates!

Just as some girls will be in a school building this year and they will work hard to be bring a good testimony of their relationship with the Lord to their classmates, we know that the homeschool girls will also be a testimony to their community as they venture out into their towns this year. No matter what form of education you are getting, remember that your greatest education is learning to please God in all you say and do. When you are in a right relationship with the Savior, the rest of your relationships will be right as well.

We pray this issue will be a blessing to you!

To read the entire issue in one post click here. (Please be patient while graphics load)


Special Announcements:

Thank you to those who have entered our previous giveaways! We always appreciate your support of GGM! Be sure to enter this month's giveaways:
Digital Scrapbooking Set:
Flergalicious Review and Giveaway


If you're a business who'd link to partner with GGM and donate something for a giveaway, please contact Miss Jocelyn at ggmads@gmail.com.

Featured Articles:
GGM Interview: Miss Kaitlyn: Daughter of the King
by MrsD

Filling the Generation Gap: Honoring Our Grandparents
by the GGM Writers. Join our Linky and share about YOUR grandparents!

Leaves Change ~ Jesus Doesn't
by Sister Angie

Helping your Heart: World Heart Day
by Lady Olivia

Columns:

Fact of the Matter: 'It's What Matters Most'
by Sisterlisa

The Faith Factor: 'The Lost of Other Languages'
by Sisterlisa and Miss Monica June

Healthy Steps: 'Spiritual Nutrition'
by Lady Jess

Fun Articles:

'Tis the Season to Harvest Apples'
by Mrs. Brown

Be A Good Neighbor
by Lady Olivia

Waffle Waffle
by Miss Virginia

Graphics by designer G's
Some photos from iStockphoto
and sxc.hu Stock Exchange



Editor-in-Chief: Sisterlisa



Special thanks to:
The Wash Basin
Mothers & Daughters Jewelries
Megan Farrow

Miss Kaitlyn: Daughter of the King

Miss Kaitlyn is a Contributor to GGM, and the oldest daughter in her family. I have had the pleasure of knowing Miss Kaitlyn's family for a couple of years now, and I am pleased to share her interview with you this month!

MrsD: Hi Kaitlyn. I know you love the Lord, can you tell me how long have you known Jesus as your Saviour?

Miss Kaitlyn: Well, my mom and dad have always taught me about God, but if you're asking when I asked Him into my heart I'd say I truly understood it when I was 10.

MrsD: Do you remember when you realized you needed him to forgive you of your sins and be the Lord of your live? Can you tell us about it?

Miss Kaitlyn: At first I just thought you could just pray a prayer and everything would be okay. Then, if you sinned you'd be okay. (Even though mom and dad taught me otherwise.) When I was 10 I really felt like I should repent, and I went to my mom and said that I knew I was a sinner and needed God in every part of my life. I needed a fresh, new fire burning in me! That's when I also decided to get baptized because I really, truly understood.

Family

MrsD:Tell us about your family. What is it like being the oldest daughter?

Miss Kaitlyn: I have three brothers (ages 14, almost 13 and 10) and one sister who will be 8 this month. There are some pros and cons of being the oldest. I like being the oldest because then I get different privileges that are only for older children, but the drawback is that the other children look up to me.

MrsD: Why do you consider that a drawback?

Miss Kaitlyn: If I do something wrong the other children see what I do. It is like being under a microscope. I want to be a better a example to my brothers and sister and show them that mom and dad know what they are doing and that they are always consulting God.

MrsD: Tell us a little bit about your Dad and how he plays a big role in your life.

Mr. Brown and Miss Kaitlyn flying a kite together

Miss Kaitlyn: My dad is in the Navy. He provides for us: money, food, etc. He protects me and the other children from the outside world. My dad and I have a good relationship. We like to talk about the Bible. He takes us lots of great places and teaches us many new things. He is very smart and very funny. When I am older I know he will be watchful over my relationships leading up to marriage, and I am so thankful for that!

MrsD: Your mom, Mrs. Brown, also writes with you for GGM, can you tell us of some other things you like to do with your Mom?

Miss Kaitlyn: I'd say that my mom and I are pretty close. We like to do things like talk about how we can improve. She and I share things with each other. Some of the things we like to do for fun are scrapbooking, crocheting, sewing, and anything artsy!

Homeschool

MrsD:Tell us why you love being homeschooled.

Miss Kaitlyn: I like being homeschooled because I can learn more things that are my style. I am able to learn it in my own timing. I can learn things that I am interested instead of only things that I don't understand or enjoy. I also like being homeschooled because I like being with my mom and I like being in a Christian environment.

Miss Kaitlyn with her Mom, Mrs. Brown, and her Grandma and sister.

MrsD: What is your favorite subject or topic to study?

Miss Kaitlyn: I like art very much (all arts: music, photography, painting, crafts), but I also enjoy science, especially physical science.

Poetry and other Interests

MrsD: I know you love to write poetry. Can you tell me how you came to love it?

Miss Kaitlyn: I mostly like poetry because I have seen many of the poems my mom has written and I wanted to be able to compose beautiful words like she does. It is a legacy in our family. My Aunt Julie, my mom, my grandmother, and even my great-grandmother all have written lots of beautiful poetry! I feel that poetry helps me express my emotions when I am not able to say it out loud.

MrsD: Does it just come naturally?

Miss Kaitlyn: Sometimes it does and sometimes I really have to think about it. Sometimes it just comes to me... it kind of depends on the situation!

MrsD: What are some of your favorite things to write about?

Miss Kaitlyn: I like to write about living Biblically. Most of my writings fall into this theme. I write about modesty, being kind to siblings, obedience, purity, and other subjects pressing on my heart. Much of my writing is inspired by praising God too.

MrsD: Tell me about some of your other interests.

Miss Kaitlyn: I love to sing! You can hardly get me to stop singing! I used to take dance classes and loved it. I like exercising (although I need to get back into that habit!) I enjoy drama (I did a lot of acting when I was younger).

Your Future

MrsD: You are 16, tell us the picture you have of your future and some of your goals.

Miss Kaitlyn: My present goal is to complete my formal education although I never want to stop learning. I would like to learn the skills I will need to be a good wife and mother in my adult life. I hope to marry a Godly man and have as many children as God wants me to have. I would like to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool my children. I hope I can use my writing, photography and other skills to bless my family now and in the future. I plan to always draw closer to God each and every day.

Miss Kaitlyn also helps her mother out in her ministry-business, Bundled in Prayer. Her beautiful shawl and afghan were created by Mrs. Brown.

Thank you Miss Kaitlyn for sharing a little of your life, your family and your love for the Lord with us! I pray that you will continue to draw closer to Him as you set a great example for the lovely family God has given you!

Love you Kaitlyn~

Leaves Change ~ Jesus Doesn't

Change. How do you feel about that little word? Do you react positively or negatively?

If we are talking about changing from sweltering summery days to the cooler, more temperate feel of fall, then perhaps you would regard that change in a positive light.

What if instead you considered the change that would accompany an unexpected move to an unknown place, a new ministry, or a new job? Perhaps that type of change would give a feeling of uneasiness.

Change. It is inevitable. People change. Society changes. Seasons change.
It brings the unexpected and causes us to stay on our toes. We must be quick to react to the unknown.

Hopefully, it ultimately draws us closer to God. We must seek Him, know Him, and respond the way He would. What an anchor to our soul to know that He never changes. For I am the LORD, I change not (Malachi 3:6).

As summer turns to fall and you witness the leaves change from green to golden, rest in your unchangeable, immutable, Father God. He will never leave you nor forsake you no matter what change may take place in your life. He is the great I AM. Hallelujah!

Helping Your Heart: World Heart Day

September 28th is "World Heart Day". It is a day created to help people be aware of and take of their heart. This is important to me because my papa has problems with his heart and has had two open heart surgeries. I know this is very common in America.

DID YOU KNOW...Your heart is the size of your fist and the strongest muscle in your body. Your heart started beating about three weeks after you were conceived. If you live to be 70 your heart will have beat two and a half billion times.*

There are many things you can do to prevent getting heart disease.

1. Beware of high cholesterol and triglycerides. Eat food that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Having a healthy weight helps with this too. Some people have to take medicine to control their cholesterol.

2. Prevent and control high blood pressure. Exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking will help with your blood pressure.

3. No tobacco. There isn’t anything good about smoking. It makes your blood pressure go up and is bad for your heart and your lungs. Your body is the temple of God. Keep that stuff out!

4. Keep a healthy weight.

5. Exercise regularly. It is good to exercise 30 minutes 3-5 days a week.

6. Eat healthy foods. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, cutting out salt, and eating less saturated fat and cholesterol helps your heart to be healthy.

There are also ways to help your spiritual heart. The first and most important thing is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Please see the ABC’s of salvation.

After you become a Christian there are things you can do to help your heart like reading your Bible, praying, worshiping Jesus, and going to church. My papa went to a cardiologist, which is a heart surgeon. When I need help with my heart, I go to Jesus. That means I just talk to Him. He helps me when I am having a hard time getting along with my brother, when I feel scared, or when I just need a friend to talk to.

Please take care of your physical and spiritual heart. They are the only hearts you have!

*J Mackay, G Mensah, Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. 2004 World Health Organization. Geneva

It's What Matter's Most

Each day we wake up, do our home chores, train the children, children get their education, we cook, we teach, and we go to bed. Pretty much every day we do the same old things in the same old ways, but what is it that we tend to take for granted than our own families.

We are so close and live together so it's easy to lose our temper, but we guard ourselves so well in front of friends and in public. We find it easier to be grumpy in front of the very people who love us most.

When I was nineteen years old, and very much living in the world, I had a falling out with my daddy. I truly loved my daddy, but in my selfishness I disregarded his feelings and only looked after my own. The last time I saw my daddy I was in a car at a distance while my husband was returning something to him. I was bitter and my heart was hardened.

We moved out of state without telling my daddy. Our lives moved on without him and I had no desire to even speak to him. I didn't call him, I didn't write to him, and I didn't bother to inform him of where I was living. Eight months later I received a phone call that my daddy had suffered a massive heart attack and died.

I was in utter shock! At first I didn't even believe the news. My husband assured me that the news, as awful as it was, was true. My daddy had left this world. I was numb for several hours until I went to a friend's house to talk about it. As soon as I began to tell my friend that my daddy was gone, I began to sob.

For several years I felt a tremendous amount of grief and guilt over my selfishness. I truly missed my daddy very much and I could not apologize for my selfishness. Every Father's Day was painful for me and any time my children would reach a milestone in their childhood, I would feel that intense burden again. I longed for my daddy to know I was deeply sorry for moving away and not forgiving him. The dispute we had was most certainly NOT worth it!

I have shared this story several times with my children over the years as a way to teach them to keep their relationships right. We do not attempt to sleep if we're not 'right' with one another. We do not leave each other's presence in the midst of a dispute. When parting from one another we always say I love you!

When it comes right down to it, no argument is worth having a departure that could potentially be your last time seeing one another. Your family is the most important earthly relationship you have here on earth. It's what matter's most in all your earthly relationships. Keep your relationships right. If you are at odds with a family member, make that relationship right. You can agree to disagree, as long as it's done respectfully, but be sure your relationship is in right standing and you each know that you sincerely love one another.

Girls, I want to tell you how important it is that you say goodnight to your parents. A hug and kiss goodnight should not stop until the day you marry and move into your husband's home. A good morning hug should not cease until the morning of your wedding day. You never know when that last hug will be, get all the hugs you can each and every day.

Faith Factor: The Lost of Other Languages

Just about a month or so ago I was able to begin interpreting for the deaf on Sunday mornings in my church. My mom has been signing for almost 14 years now and has taught us a lot of sign language. She is going to be teaching a class of sign language in our church's adult Bible Institute in just a few weeks. So far I only interpret the song, 'Amazing Grace' at the close of the service, but I am praying about signing the announcements on Wednesday evenings too.

My mom volunteered for us to interpret the children's stories at the library this year and we're looking forward to that. One thing I want to say is that God did not give me the ability to sign just for entertaining myself , but to reach the lost deaf in our community.


When God separated the people at The Tower of Babel he confused their languages. People had to find one another and regroup with their own people. This must have made it very difficult to communicate with people from other lands. The Bible has many passages where he talks about interpretors of languages. Not everyone has the ability to learn another language well. Exodus 4:11, "And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? " The Lord has made the deaf, yet not all deaf understand God's Word. We feel strongly about allowing God to use our gift of sign language to reach the lost deaf of our community.

Do you have knowledge of another language that God can use in your life to reach the lost of your town? I have known many people who have attempted to learn sign language and yet struggle with it. I personally believe that my ability to sign was given to me as a gift from the Lord. 1 Corinthians talks of interpretors and although there are differing opinions on what those passages are referring to, I do believe that my gift of interpreting falls under those blessings of God. It would be a waste for me to have this gift and not use it to teach the deaf about the Lord.

Pray about how god can use you to reach the lost of your town with the language that you know. Do you know Spanish, Japanese, or Korean? Pray about how god can use you to reach someone for His Kingdom's sake.

Healthy Steps: Spiritual Nutrition

So far in all of my Healthy Steps posts I have been talking about physical health. I think that it is about time that I speak on spiritual health. Being healthy is not just physically and it is not just spiritually, because the Bible says that you should be physically healthy as well as spiritually so do not slack on one to get caught up in the other. Both are important. Although, spiritual health is very important.
To be spiritually healthy, you must be constantly in the Word, and keeping up to date in your prayer life. Be sure that every day you spend some time personally with God in devotion. I find that it is easier to do my devotions in the morning before I do anything else, so that I will not forget or be too tired late at night to do it. And, when I do it earlier in the day, I find that my day goes along smoother and I get more accomplished. God commands us, in the Bible, to spend some time each day alone with him. How would you feel if your best friend or family would only talk to you before and after meals and when they needed something. Horrible, wouldn't you? God feels the same way when those are the only times that he gets to hear from you.
Also, God enjoys helping us, but it sometimes seems selfish of us to always be demanding things of him. Don't you think that sometimes God just wants you to praise him? He is so wonderful. Don't you think he deserves all the praise in the world? Here are 9 steps to a better prayer life, they are part of a message that my pastor preached once.

1. Write you requests down
2. Write down those whose prayers have been similar and answered.
3. Ask for forgiveness of sins.
4. Write down the reasons it would be good to get them answered.
5. Write down his response.
6. Thank him and remind him that you will be thankful.
7. Remind him that you will praise him.
8. Remind him that you will not be selfish.
9. Remind him how hard you worked.

Pretty good, right?

God enjoys being praised, don't you? I know I do. I hope that this article has helped you. I will leave you with this one last thought.

"If you don't prepare to pray, God won't prepare to answer."

Tis the Season To Harvest Apples!

The Health Benefits of Apples

Tis the season to harvest apples! So let’s take a little time to learn why the phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is more than just a catchy idiom. Apples and apple products (with the exception of their slightly poisonous seeds) are packed with phytonutrients and amazing life-giving enzymes.

NUTRIENTS:

Apples contain boron to strengthen bones.

The skin of the apple holds quercitin which prevents free radical activity. Free radicals can damage your DNA and create unhealthy cellular activity. Antioxidants reduce and may even effectively eliminate such adverse effects. Quercitin and naringin also act as flavonoids to support lung health and reduce several types of life threatening diseases such as colon, prostate, breast and lung cancer.

Pectin lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and aids in diabetes prevention by providing galacturonic acid. The best combo is the pectin of the peel and the phenols together… so leave the skin ON!

Apples (particularly the skins) are loaded with fiber essential to good digestive tract health. Apples contain two types of fiber… insoluble and soluble pectin fiber, both are needed to cleanse the colon and "detox" our bodies from heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

Apples are rich in Vitamin C, which among other things is an excellent immunity booster!

Apples have been found to reduce risk of heart disease.

Fructose, present in apples, is a simple sugar. When combined with fiber, fructose aids in stabilizing blood sugars. This is great news for diabetics or those who battle hypoglycemia like me.

Catechin is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid.

Apples contain beneficial polyphenols.

Wikipedia defines polyphenols as follows:

Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants, characterized by the presence of more than one phenol unit or building block per molecule. Polyphenols are generally divided into hydrolyzable tannins (gallic acid esters of glucose and other sugars) and phenylpropanoids, such as lignins, flavonoids, and condensed tannins.

Champion apples are a variety that produces a cloudy juice, Ida red apples produce clear juice. Polyphenols are particularly present in CLOUDY apple juice! I had never heard that before. Our family does not drink much juice, but I will remember to chose cloudy juice next time we do!

I was also amazed to learn that eating apples can protect your skin from UV-B radiation damage! Researchers reported that Braeburn apples were the best for this. I was happy to read that because Braeburns are my personal favorite of the over 7,000 varieties of apples! As a fair skinned red-head, I can use all the extra protection my skin can get from sun damage.

I don’t know if it is true, but I even read that eating apples prevents hair loss and may even promote hair growth!

Apple cider vinegar has many additional benefits as an anti-fungal, a wonderful skin toner (avoid eyes), and is said to reduce symptoms of arthritis among other benefits and remedies.

I read that it is preferable to allow apples to fully ripen. I personally enjoy a very firm, crisp apple, but I read that a softer apple that is near to too soft has had the necessary time for the chlorophyll to break down. That enables the release of many of the enzymes into the apple that help us most!

Apples are most beneficial when eaten raw, but they do freeze well and browning is easily slowed by placing cut apples in a bowl of water with a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice. I like to spritz apple slices with orange juice when I make a fruit salad!

Organic apples are best since pesticides don’t easily wash off the peel. Also, carnauba wax and shellac (yep! The same things that give cars that showroom shine) are used on many of those glossy apples in the non-organic section of the grocery store. Organic can be a little more spendy, so consider planting an apple tree in your yard, if possible. My husband and I have been shopping for mature apple trees and found that they were less expensive than we expected. We also learned that an apple tree many take up to five years to begin producing a viable crop.

APPLE TRIVIA:

While the "forbidden fruit" is not named as being an apple… we do know that there is historical record of apples being eaten all the way back to nearly the dawn of time! Actually, Renaissance painters depicted the forbidden fruit as an apple as they mixed German paganism and Greek mythological references with Biblical history in their art.

Did you know that the only apple native to North America is the crabapple? It wasn’t until the 1600’s that some of the more common varieties were brought to our country. Then, in the late 1700’s Johnny Appleseed planted apple trees across several of our Midwestern states!

Many traditional dishes all over the world contain apples from the Jewish use of apples in Rosh Hashanah and Passover to apple streusel in Germany and good ol’ American pie! There are many different presentations that are common and familiar: apple butter, apple jelly, applesauce, apple dumplings and even candied apples. I like to add apples to a green salad or snack on apples with slices of sharp cheddar cheese! Even the occasional dried apples or apple "fries" (which are really baked) are fun variations that we enjoy at our house!

APPLE ART

You can make your own greeting cards or gift wrap with apples to celebrate this wonderful treasure from God!

Materials Needed:
Apples
Paper Towels
Styrofoam Plate, Meat Tray, or Other Shallow Dish
Construction Paper
Paint
Instructions:
Cut the apple in half. Experiment with your apples by cutting them different ways. Cut Through the top and out the bottom to make a 'traditional' apple print, cut through the middle to make apple 'star' prints. Cut the apple into quarters for a different print also!

Fold a paper towel into 4ths and lay it on the bottom of the styrofoam plate, etc. Pour paint into the center of the paper towel to make it into a stamp pad. I like to use red, green, and yellow paint to represent the different kinds of apples.

Dip the cut side of the apple into the paint. Dab it around on the paper towel to wipe off excess paint, and then press it onto the paper.

Make a whole collection of apple pictures this way! You can also use other fruits to make prints. Try making these prints with oranges, lemons, pears, etc.

You can also use fabric paint and make an apple print T-shirt, towels, etc!

I love learning new ways to be a better steward of my health and I am always awed by the greatness of our God as I read and research! He has given us gifts like apples… a perfect single serving size, in its own edible "wrapper"! Next time you eat an apple, as you marvel over the abundance of nutrients God placed within it, give praise to Him for His wisdom and creativity!

Art ideas from http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/applecrafts/a/blapprint.htm