June 2009

From the Editor's Desk

Summer has hit full force in many parts of the world and it is beautiful! We hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day in May. We are now approaching Father's Day rather quickly and we hope you are preparing something nice in honor of Father's Day, for your daddy.

My daddy is no longer with us, but I do have a step dad who helped to raise me and we are trying to come up with an idea on what to do for Father's Day for him. If you have any ideas for Father's Day be sure to post your comment below this post.

We recently received an ice cream maker from a friend who comes to fellowship with us and we look forward to trying the ice cream recipe contained in this month's issue. Most homeschoolers break for summer and begin to plan their trips. Fellowship among homeschool gatherings may come to a snail's pace, but fellowship is so important. Be sure to help out around the house this summer so your parents can make time for fulfilling

Hebrews 10:25,
"Forsake not the fellowship that we have among ourselves, as the manner of some is: but let us exhort one another, and that so much the more, because ye see that the day draweth near." (Geneva Bible 1599)

We value our time of fellowship among believers and hope that you do as well. Please enjoy this month's issue of GGM!


Editor-in-Chief
Growing in Grace Magazine

View the entire magazine in one post

Special Announcements:

Have you ever thought about contributing to Growing in Grace Magazine? Do you have a giftfor writing and a desire to please the Saviour in what you write? Come read this very special announcement about how YOU might be a part of our team.

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

Featured Articles:

GGM Interview:
Miss Virginia 'Enjoying Girlhood'
by Sisterlisa

Taking A Trip To The Zoo
by Mrs. Brown


Summer Educational Articles:


Health:

Summer Fun: Trails
by Miss Alyssa

Columns:

Fact of the Matter: It's The Body That Matters Some thoughts on The Body of Christ.
by Sisterlisa


Faith Factor: Spiritual Vision
by Miss Monica June

Remote Controll: The History of The Remote Control
by Lady Jess

Original artwork created by of Miss Jocelyn Dixon
Graphics coordinated by designer G's
Some photos from iStockphoto
and sxc.hu Stock Exchange

Editor-in-Chief: Sisterlisa

Special thanks to:

Miss Monica June for the Signatures

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Taking A Trip To The Zoo

Our family loves to take gift money and use it to buy memberships to places we can visit as a family, like museums, science centers and the ever popular ZOO! Over the years we have found some ways to make our zoo trips even more enjoyable.

We start buy packing a big cooler of healthy snacks:

Whole Grain bagels
Baby carrots
Snap peas
Apples
Oranges
Cheese sticks
Whole grain crackers
Granola bars

Any easy to eat and easy to transport foods we can fit in our cooler are packed along with a few ice packs (which can double as first aid remedy if we have a twisted ankle, bee sting or other injury), cold water bottles, napkins in a zip loc baggie (so they won’t get soggy from condensation and the baggie can be used to store orange peels and other garbage if there is not a waste can nearby our picnic site) and possibly some wet wipes for sticky finger or for cleaning scrapes that might happen!

Before we go we make sure everyone has appropriate clothing, worn in layers to accommodate any weather combinations that may occur throughout our day. A jacket or a hoodie is a must, as are comfortable shoes.

A small first aid kit always comes in handy. Make sure to have band-aids at very least! I can’t tell you how many times I have been glad for this! If you have room you can add hand lotion, lip balm, bug spray, sun block, pain reliever (in case mom gets a headache) and /or any natural remedies your family likes to use!

Some family members like to bring their own small backpack with a hat, a pair of sunglasses, a camera or other personal items. This is pretty much limited to the family members who are careful enough NOT to lose anything or else mom gets stuck counting to make sure all bags are accounted for!

As we get into the car we make sure we have directions, money or zoo passes and a little extra cash for tolls and incidentals we may need later.

Upon arrival, make sure to make note of where you parked! You’ll be glad later. We usually make up a silly saying of some sort to help us remember, such as “Lot C is the place for me”! When all of the children chant a funny saying a few times you are sure to find your vehicle easily when you are tired later!

After everyone is paid for and ready to enter the park it’s fun to check the map for any special show times coming up. Plan around that. It’s always disappointing to realize later that you just missed the last bird show of the day so it’s good to know at the beginning of the planning!

We have special favorites that we always like to work into our visits:

For some reason my children are fascinated with the puffins! When Kaitlyn was about 4 she received a wooden puzzle that spells out her name and at the end of her name was a little wooden puffin. I THINK this started the interest, but I am not sure! Anyway, every time we go to the zoo the children all claim there is one puffin who always comes to the edge to greet them. They call him "PUFFY" and they all start squealing, "OH, there's Puffy! Hi PUFFY!"

You will soon figure out your own favorite exhibits and may want to revisit them over the years!

On our most recent zoo trip, the children were really interested in the penguins. They were playing a game they call "Bird Theater" while they watched the penguins that day. "Bird Theater" is when they make up voices and dialogue for birds, animals or even humans that they are observing. This game started when my husband was driving around a store parking lot one day waiting for me to run a quick errand and the baby (now 6 years old) started crying for mommy. So he began to make up voices and story lines for the birds to occupy her! Then, it became a tradition.

Anyway, they were sure these penguins were planning a "zoo break" just like the penguins in a cartoon they had seen and they had us all really laughing. It really did seem like the penguins were planning something. Then (now this was weird) the penguins started making a loud noise that sounded as if they were braying like donkeys! It was very loud and definitely not a sound I expected to hear from penguins!!!! That trip was over two years ago and odd as it may seem, we all still talk about the penguins’ strange noises!

That day we saw a Wildlife show in an amphitheater. We “met” a porcupine, whose name is CACTUS JACK”! That particular day was VERY cold (for Washington anyway) and an icy rain began (it snowed that night). Because there were not many people at the zoo that day we were able to get some behind-the-scenes kind of stuff while the staff was working with the animals. That day, Cactus Jack was practicing walking a particular path across the stage. We watched for about 15 minutes! We have found that most zoo staff enjoys answering questions and we can learn a lot by just taking the time! We also got to watch a great session with the walruses. It was fascinating and I had no idea that walruses were so intelligent and their handlers really enjoyed telling us all about them!

“Our” zoo also features an aquarium. When it’s either too hot or too cold outside it’s nice to get out of the elements and spend some time watching the sharks, fish, octopus, mantarays, and even seahorses in an exhibit of their own! My youngest, Hannah, loves the sharks and was almost in tears waiting for us to get to the shark tank!

As we walk from exhibit to exhibit usually I find the older children reminding the younger ones what is coming up next or retelling facts they have learned from the animals we have just left. I love to hear it from their point-of-view!

We usually set aside a little money for either hot cocoas on a cold day or ice cream on a hot day. That day was definitely a hot cocoa day and we decided to ride the zoo’s carousel too! All of the children had fun picking a favorite animal to ride. There was no one else there so they had many options including a muscular beluga whale, a sleek tiger, a fluffy husky, and a whimsical sea horse (half fish, half traditional carousel horse!) My son, Jordan chose a bench instead of a moving animal. With his Asperger's Syndrome he sometimes really struggles with coordination and this was just easier for him... plus it had a lot of YELLOW, Jordan's favorite color!

We didn’t spend any time on the zoo’s playground and the water features were NOT runny on that cold, cold day, but we had a great time and talked about it all the way home in the warm van! It’s been way too long. I definitely think we will need to go again when grandma comes to visit!

It is such a joy to explore and learn about God’s marvelous creations. We will often research more about something we saw on a trip and we learn how to refute the fallacies that are often stated as fact regarding evolution. When I see how uniquely designed each one of these creatures are I can only stand amazed at God’s mighty works! I am so thankful to share these times with my family!

Mrs. Brown is a GGM contributor and owner of a small custom crocheting business/ministry named Bundled In Prayer. She enjoys Bible study, writing, scrapbooking, sewing, reading and more. She is happily married to her best friend, Russ and is in her 12th year of homeschooling her five children.

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Interview with Miss Virgina 'Enjoying Girlhood'

We all know her as Miss Virginia, but her family and friends call her Gina, for short. She is going to be ten years old on June 23rd! I hope you enjoy getting to know her in this interview.

What do you enjoy doing with your family? I like going to Wednesday night home church in a friend’s house. I like
spending time with other believers. I like to fellowship with others.


How long have you been homeschooling? I came home to homeschool a couple years ago.

What is your favorite thing to do in homeschool? I like English and grammar. Anything that involves words. I like the exercises in my workbooks that have puzzles and cryptograms. I like my computer CD’s too. They make learning fun.

You have two older sisters; can you tell us what makes you have a closer relationship with them? I like when Jessica helps me exercise. I want to be stronger and healthier and she helps me. I like when Monica helps make my hair pretty and plays dolls with me. I know she is too old to play with dolls, but she plays with me and it makes me feel happy. I also like it when I get to sing with them.



What are your favorite foods? I like pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese quesadillas, bean burritos, hot dogs, and French toast.

What do you enjoy coking? I am learning to make waffles with my mom and I know how to make scrabbled eggs. I made a Butterfinger sandwich once for breakfast when my mom was still asleep, but we don’t make them often.

If you could have any pet, what would you choose to have? We have a Chihuahua now, but she really is bonding with Monica. I would like to have my own.

What outdoor activities do you enjoy? I like to ride my bicycle, scooter, and I like when my family goes hiking together.


Who taught you how to ride a bike? My daddy did. At first I was scared, but he helped me by holding me until I learned how to go on my own. He never gave up on me. He cheered me on and so did my family. Now I like to ride it as much as I can. He just got me a new bike, but it’s a bit tall for me. I have been trying to ride it this week, but I need more practice with stopping.

What in this world makes you sad? When people don’t have any food and are starving to death.


How would you like to help them? By giving them food. We help at a place in our town that feeds the homeless. We take food to struggling families and I like to make sure they get to eat.

What do you like to do on the computer? I like to play games and read blogs. I read Growing in Grace Magazine. I like the devotions. I also want to learn to make graphics like my mom and Monica.

Miss Virginia is increasing in her sign language studies and has deaf friends that she enjoys spending time with. She likes to be with friends and loved ones and says fellowship is her favorite thing. We hope you will leave her a comment to let her know you enjoyed this article and feel free to ask her more questions and get to know her.

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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Summer Fun: Trails

"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

National Trails Day is June 7, 2009. Hiking, horseback riding, and biking can be enjoyable forms of exercise. It is a wonderful way to explore and experience God’s creation. Taking the proper precautions can keep these activities fun and safe. Neglecting to do so can lead to an emergency.

The most important thing to bring is water. Never go on a hike, no matter how short or easy you may think it is, without a water supply. It is a good idea to bring water purifying tablets or some other means of purifying water along as well. No matter what the weather is like, you can easily become dehydrated or suffer from heat exhaustion if you do not drink plenty of water. In addition, it is a good idea to bring food along. It will help give you energy for the hike and in the event of an emergency (i.e. getting lost), it can help sustain you. These things as well as the other essentials should be stored in a backpack.


10 essentials (besides food and water) are:
1. Map
2. Flashlight/headlamp. Make sure you have extra batteries. Better yet, have some that are not battery operated but that you wind up instead.
3. Compass or hand-held GPS
4. First aid supplies. Bring extra of any medicines you must take.
5. Matches (stored in a waterproof container)
6. Fire starter
7. Pocket knife
8. Extra clothing
9. Sturdy hiking boots that grip the ground well and don’t hurt your feet.
10. Hat


Other things to bring include:
sunglasses, sun screen, rain gear, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, trash bag, insect repellent, rope, and more. Depending on the terrain you will be hiking in, other essentials may apply. Hiking in cold climates and on mountains requires special care. You do not want to get hypothermia or frostbite. Find out if you are in an avalanche prone area. Research the necessary equipment and make sure you are well equipped! Some things you might need include: gloves, ice picks, special kinds of warm clothing, special spiked boots, etc.


If you plan to take dogs along, check to see if the trail allows dogs. Also, is the trail appropriate for dogs? Some may be too dangerous for a dog to come along on; the dog may pull you over a cliff or may accidentally run off the cliff itself. The normal rule for trails that allow dogs is that dogs must be on a leash and the owner must clean up after the dog.


Most of the recommended supplies for hiking would also apply to horseback riding and biking. If you want to ride on horseback or bicycle, please check first to see if the trail is suitable. The trail should be as flat as possible, wide enough, and of course, allow horses or cycling.


Hiking trails range from easy to strenuous and from safe to dangerous/risky. Babies and little kids should, as a general rule, not be taken on strenuous or risky hikes. I personally have hiked a trail where a few steps to the left would have sent me plummeting to the ocean hundreds of feet below. I definitely clung to the natural rock wall on my right! At the end of the hike, the view of the ocean and skyline was gorgeous but I still would not do it again especially with a young one! Most of our hikes have an element of danger to them but that one was just too dangerous. Please use common sense while hiking. If it begins to grow dark, you run out of water, or some other mishap occurs and you have not reached the end of the hike yet, do not hesitate to turn back, return to your vehicle, and try again a different day. It is not worth risking your life over.


Some final safety tips:
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Once you return, be sure to call the person and let him/her know you are safe.
Do not wander off the trail.
Do not eat any mushrooms (or other plants) along the trail; most of them are poisonous.
Make a moderate amount of noise (talking, singing, etc.) when walking in bear territory; bears are not likely to approach you and this way neither you nor the bear will be caught by surprise.
Pay attention to weather reports and the conditions you will be hiking in.
Stay together. Keep a close eye on little ones and hold their hands while hiking.

Is anybody happier
Because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember
That you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over,
And its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now
A friendly word for you?
Can you say tonight in passing
With the days that slipped so fast,
That you helped a single person,
Of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing
Over what you did or said?
Does one whose hopes were fading
Now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it?
Was it well or poorly spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness
Or a scar of discontent?
~Anonymous (emphasis mine)

Miss Alyssa, a 15 year old homeschooler, is interested in writing and film-making for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. She is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. She blogs at One Nation Under GOD.

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It's The Body That Matters

by Sisterlisa

Over the years we have seen friendships come and go and most of those times it has been painful. I have seen friends move on in ministry and move away to fulfill God's plan for their lives and although I was happy for them, my heart grieved over the thought of not fellowshipping with them as often anymore. I have had times when I volunteered in church nursery with other women that I grew quite close to. Then a ministry change happens and that intimate fellowship gets interrupted. I have learned through the years that what we do for the Lord may not always be what He wants for us for a lifetime, but rather for a season.

Something that my family has come to understand in a deeper more intense way is that The Body is not a one denomination inclusive group. In the Rescue Ministry we serve the Lord in, we have had great opportunities to meet fantastic Believers in a variety of church fellowships.

My husband has surrendered to the Lord to travel with this ministry to help introduce the kind of help we offer at The Well Ministry of Rescue and The Sarah Home for Women. This journey for us has been an amazing one, to say the least. We are still just at the beginning of this journey, but watching the Lord open doors that were firmly shut for ten years, suddenly become wide open and has been triumphant!

Although this journey for us is exciting, I was made aware of the feelings that others feel about our decision. The Holy Spirit reminded me of what it was like for me when friends moved on in the past. A dear sweet friend of mine came to me in tears over us going in this direction, because this journey involves us not being in the same fellowship as often as before. She told me how she is sad, but happy at the same time and it became evident to me how much she truly loves me. I had not known she had such a deep abiding love for our friendship.

Yet, not everyone has come to us with those same feelings. Most people don't like change, especially a change that comes between the frequency of those sweet fellowship times. I have seen over the years that many people don't quite know how to respond. Some show angry emotions, some critical and judgmental, and some don't seem to show any response at all. Perhaps they just don't know what to think or how to feel about it.

The fellowship that we won't be frequenting as often, is one that involves hundreds of people and there is no way we can adequately keep in touch with each family individually. Yet there are networking opportunities to all of us on the internet that makes it a lot easier to keep in touch.

There are some people who are reluctant to logging into a social network like Facebook or Twitter, but are two that we enjoy and know how to use in a safe manner. Some people choose to build blogs or message board forums to get all the latest updates on friends and family. I feel these are good ways to keep in touch with The Body all over the world.

Our family has been so blessed in so many different ways by our Father since we responded to the Lord in the calling He has given to us. While this is an exciting time for us we do not want to lose touch with the Body of Believers we fellowshipped with for fourteen years and we want to keep in touch with the other Believers we are finding along the way. Social Networking on the internet is NO replacement for fellowship in person, but it sure helps keep the lines of communication open and keep each other up to date on prayer requests and praise reports!

We have come to understand more deeply that The Body is not limited to one building in one corner of town, but rather all over the globe. I feel that many times we get tunnel vision, in our busy lives, and forget the rest of The Body that is living all around us. Denominations sure have come to build up brick walls all around us and have kept us apart for so long. I came to discover that there are no denominations in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13, " ¹¹For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. ¹²Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. ¹³Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? "(KJV)

I think I knew that already, but it became very evident to me recently.

1 Peter 2:5, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (Geneva Bible 1599)

We may not like the same meals, but one day we will feast together with the Father around His table and the choices between enchiladas and cheeseburgers won't even matter. Let's not forget the rest of The Body. We are everywhere! Don't forget The Body, we all matter in God's eyes.

2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; ⁹ but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."(Geneva Bible 1599)

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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Spiritual Vision

Do you ever get that goopy stuff in your eye and you can't see clearly? It kind of interrupts your life, don't you just despise that?!?

In 1 Samuel 3:1 it says, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”

The last part of it says that there was no open vision. You'll see in this story that Eli was not only losing his physical sight but also his spiritual spiritual sight. Eli’s sons were living wickedly and he knew that they were, but he was doing nothing about it.

Then the Lord sent a little boy named Samuel into Eli’s life. Samuel grew up in the temple with Eli and Samuel learned the way of the Lord.

1 Samuel 3:2 “And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;”

Physically, Eli’s eyes began to wax dim which means to be blind. Also, he was spiritually blind. He loved the lord but his sons did not and they were living wickedly and taking advantage of the temple and Eli knew it and he did not do anything about it, which is why I believe he began to be spiritually and physically blind.

Through all the disappointment, God was with Eli when he gave Samuel a dream.

1 Samuel 3:3-14, "3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was,

4 and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 11And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever."

Now God is very angry with Eli because he did not stop his sons from doing wrong. These next verses will tell you what God asks Samuel to do.

"15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. 19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."

We have to be careful about sin, because we will be spiritually blind and we don’t want that, we want to be able to hear God and to study his word. We need to apply Jesus to our eyes so we can see clearly.

Miss Monica June is a young teen girl who is homeschooled and is pursuing her artistic talent of jewelry making. She enjoys cooking and encouraging others to share about their education at From The Learning Room.

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Remote Control

The first reported remote control 'attempt' was in 1950. The Zenith Radio Corporation created the very first television remote control and dubbed it "Lazy Bone." The Lazy Bone could turn a television on and off, and change channels, but it was not a wireless remote control. The Lazy Bone remote control was attached to the television by a big bulky cable. Reports soon arised that the consumers complained that it caused frequent tripping.

Zenith engineer, Eugene Polley created the "Flash-matic" the first wireless TV remote in 1955. The Flash-matic worked by four light censers, one in each corner of the screen. The viewer used a special flashlight to make the functions work . But, the Flash-matic had problems working well on sunny days, when the sunlight sometimes changed channels at random.

The improved "Zenith Space Command" remote control went into commercial production in 1956. Zenith engineer, Doctor Robert Adler designed the Space Command based on ultrasonics. The Space Command transmitter used no batteries. Two different types of reports were sent in on this one. Number one, someone was playing a toy xylophone and it changed the channel. Number two, it was reported that dogs and young girls somehow heard the high frequencies and it hurt they're ears.

Obviously remotes have come a long way. They now make remote controls for many different things. From automatic curtain movers, to automatic car starters. The invention of the remote has definitely helped man on it's ultimate quest for laziness! ;) Of course, if God had not invented the thumb it would be much more difficult to control the remote. You can even get a remote for those who are losing their eye sight. They have much bigger buttons and are much easier to read.

You can read reviews on current remote controls at Remote Control Central. You might even find one your dad would like for Father's Day.

Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter for deaf ministry, sings in a local choir, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.

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Happy Birthday Monica!

Today is a very special day, it's Miss Monica June's 14th birthday! Miss Monica June, we love you and are thankful to have your joyous presence in our lives. You bring spice to life each and every day. It's a pleasure to see how you interact with your friends and the happiness that glows from your smiling face!



May the Lord bless you with richness in friendships and a flavorful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Your growth in the Lord is beaming in all you do and we wish you the best birthday ever!

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Creative Kitchen - Zucchini Bread

Zucchini bread is a favourite in our house. It is the only way I like eating zucchini. Its a sweet, healthy treat that anyone can enjoy. The recipe calls for raisins along with the nuts, but we never put raisins in ours.

We also like ours frozen. Well, I do.) If you wrap the loaves in plastic wrap and put them in the freezer after they have cooled will do the trick. You can pop them for an after-dinner treat. Pumpkin bread is great frozen too!

Zucchini Bread

PREHEAT: 350° | COOK: 60-70 minutes | Yields: 2 loaves

2-2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening
3 cups shredded zucchini (about two medium)
2/3 cup of water
4 eggs
3-1/3 cup flour
2 tsps. baking soda
1-1/2 tsps. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsps. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2/3 cup chopped nuts
2/3 cup raisins

Heat oven to above temperature. Grease bottoms only of 2 loafs pans thatare 9×5x3 inches. Mix sugar and shortening in large mixing bowl. Stir in zucchini, water and eggs. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and baking powder; stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into pans.

Bake until wooden pick (or cake tester) inserted in the center of loaf comes out clean, about 60-70 minutes. Cool for five minutes. Then loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans. Cool completely before slicing.

Lady Rachel, a GGM Columnist, is a 15-year-old homeschool student and is the third daughter in eight children. She is a baker, babysitter, older sister, little sister, helper, homemaker-in-training, homesteader, gardener, avid reader, writer, artist, and a clean-freak at times. She enjoys being home, being in the barn, blogging, being with family, knitting, crocheting, and sewing and creating things in the kitchen. You can find out more about Lady Rachel at her blogs - A City On A Hill and Rachel's Reasoning.

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Making Wise Decisions

Do you ever feel like you are in a situation facing a decision and have no idea what to do? Sometimes decisions can seem difficult to make, but God promises to give us wisdom. So just how do you get that wisdom? Do we have to do something in order to get it? He said to simply ask. How much wisdom did He promise to give us? He said he would give it to us liberally.

What does liberally mean? Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes it like this:
in a generous mannerliberally over the cake until it oozed over the edges>

He also promises to not be reproachable in doing so. He won't hold back from giving you His Wisdom.

James 1: 5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, which giveth to all men liberally, and reproacheth no man, and it shall be given him." 1599 Geneva

God doesn't want His children to be without wisdom, not knowing how to make decisions that please Him, so He freely offers us His wisdom, if we'll just ask.

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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