Robinson Crusoe Month

by Lady Olivia

February is Robinson Crusoe month. Robinson isn’t a real person. He is just a character from a book. The book is based on a true story though. In September of 1704 Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor was marooned on an island for four-and-a-half years. He stayed there until he was rescued on February 1, 1709. This inspired Daniel Defoe to write the book called Robinson Crusoe.

Do you know how many people God rescued in the Bible? Many! One example is Daniel.

Daniel 6:27, "He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."

God saved Daniel from being eaten by lions. He sent angels down to shut their mouths and keep him safe. That is an amazing rescue, if you ask me.

God can rescue us from our troubles too. Maybe your family is going through hard times or you and your siblings are not getting along that well. Here lately, God helped me get through when I moved to a new town. I felt uncomfortable and I couldn’t quite be myself, but God helped me. The Lord can rescue you anytime you ask Him to. So just call out His name and ask him for help.

Psalm 118:5, "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."

Lady Olivia is a wonderful daughter to Sister Angie. She has a passion for reading and writing about God's love in her devotions for GGM. She has many different interests including art, writing, sports, cooking, and much, much more. Most of all, she loves Jesus Christ and all of His wonderful ways. You can join her at Liv-Laf-Luv.

Super Simple & Sweet Snowflake Snack

I learned this recipe from my little brother. It is a quick little snack on a cold winter day.

Take one flour tortilla. It can be warmed to make it easier to work with. Use a pair of clean kitchen scissors and gently fold the tortilla to cut out little shapes just like you do with paper snowflakes. Spread a small amount of butter onto the tortilla and shake a little bit of cinnamon sugar on top.

It's as easy as that! I hope you enjoy it.

Shalom ~ Peace

When I heard that the theme at Growing in Grace for January was peace, I was excited to hear this because it is one my favorite fruits of the Spirit. It is special to me because it is the meaning of my name. I wasn't very sure of this until I saw Miss Jocelyn’s article where you type in your name and it comes up in Hebrew. My name on there meant peaceable and perfect. After that, I was really sure that is what it meant.

The dove is a symbol of peace. In the Bible, a dove was released by Noah after the great flood in order to find land. The dove came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, letting Noah know that the water had gone down and there was land once again for man to live on. You can read this story in Genesis 8.

Jesus is the Prince of peace. Whenever I feel the presence of the Lord I sense this great peace come over me and all of a sudden I feel calm and relaxed. That only comes from Him. You can even feel His peace in hard times.

Interesting Fact...
The peace symbol was created in Britain as a sign of nuclear disarmament, which means they wanted to get rid of nuclear weapons.

Now, the LORD bless thee, and keep thee. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Forefather's Day

Okay I know that it is December and that I am kind of talking about Thanksgiving which is in November, but since December 21st is the date when the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. They celebrated the real Thanksgiving in 1621 though.

One of the reasons our forefathers left England was because they wanted freedom for what they wanted to do. Everyone had to do what the King wanted them to do. None had a choice of their own religion.

As I am writing this my family is getting ready to go to church. Because of them being willing to sacrifice and go to a land far away we are able to have the freedom to worship Jesus today.

Take time to thank God for such a great country. Happy late Thanksgiving and early Christmas!

1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all,that I might gain the more.

Memories From Nana

An interview with Nana by Lady Olivia

In the corner of the small living room sat a sad Christmas tree, decorated with far less ornaments than the one shown in this photo. To conserve electricity, we were only allowed to turn on a revolving color lamp in the evenings.

The year was 1960 and I was the oldest of five children. Times were uneasy. Our parents had divorced and my mother, without a high school education, had gone to work as a butcher’s assistant in a nearby grocery store. She walked to and from her job each day. Before and after school, I was the surrogate mother.

This Christmas, the siblings were not all together since we were separated by a custody agreement earlier in the year. In the evening, harmony and togetherness were needed. We would wrap ourselves in grandmother’s quilts as we sang Christmas carols from an old, but treasured book while we watched the tree turn red, yellow, and green as the light turned. We tried to remember why we were celebrating and cast our concerns for gifts aside.

Finally, the big day arrived. We each received a little doll and one board game to share. But the big gift was when our other two sisters walked in the door. They were home. It was a merry Christmas after all. Later that day, we made our way to the small Missionary Baptist Church down the street and celebrated the reason this day was special. Indeed, special all around.

Circle C Ranch Review

by Lady Olivia

Title: Andrea Carter and the Family Secret
Author: Susan K. Marlow
Read Chapter 1 here
Genre: Junior Historical Fiction

This book was very exciting. In the beginning, Andrea, also known as Andi, discovers a man who was at their creek just about dead. There are many thrilling parts including a family secret that you will not believe! I can’t tell you too much, because that would ruin the story for you.

My favorite character is Andi because she is so courageous. During the book her world turns upside down when she finds out some unbelievable news. You will see how she grows up and takes on new challenges that she has never been faced with before.

I loved this book because of the adventure and seeing how Andi handles what is coming at her. I highly recommend it to girls ages nine and up. I think Mrs. Marlow did a fantastic job writing this book. She understands girls, horses, and ranch life really well to create such a great story. I give it two thumbs up!

We've given away the first two books in this series, and now you can enter to win a copy of THIS book. To enter, please let us know how you found GGM, and what your favourite article was this issue! Also, we've kept the same icon, but you need to remove the other one and readd it to your sidebar so it's properly linked!

The giveaway will end at the end of the month. Please be sure to enter and tell a friend!

<p align="center"><a href="http://www.growingingraceonline.com/2008/10/snuggle-up-with-andrea-carter.html"><img src="http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/ggmeditor/November/giveaway%20icons/circlecgiveaway.png" border="0" /></a></p>

A Warm and Cozy Thanksgiving

by Lady Olivia

Town that is homey

House which is warm and cozy
Aunts and uncles
Nana, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa
Kind friends
Salvation
Good food
I am grateful for Mom and Dad
Very funny dog
I am thankful for my wonderful brother
Nice neighbors
God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

by Sister Angie

For me, Thanksgiving is a culmination of God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout the year. As an only child, I am blessed to have married into a big family. My husband is the youngest of five. Extended family crowds into one of our homes and the rooms are filled with good conversation, laughter, and the aroma of a wonderful dinner. Traditions are carried on as we play dominoes and a very noisy game of Pit. Cousins play football outside while we women busy ourselves in the kitchen, bumping into one another as we prepare the biggest meal of the year.

Nana’s favorite frozen cranberry salad is garnished, my famous 'make ahead mashed potatoes' are puddled with pats of butter while Aunt Kim’s green bean casserole and my mom’s cornbread dressing is heated. Yet this day is not all about food. It is about love, God’s abundant love and grace to see us through each day and the opportunity to share the truth of Jesus with loved ones that have gathered together. The patriarch of the family calls all to join hands as we stand and bow our heads in prayer. We enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. For the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations. Hearts are full. Tummies are full. It is obvious to me that Jesus came so that we would have life, and life more abundantly.

Please enjoy several of our other Thanksgiving articles.

Nana's Famous Frozen Cranberry Salad

My Nana makes a cranberry salad for all of my family that we think is wonderful. She even renamed it to be called Bruce's Cranberry Salad because that is one of my dad's favorite dessert dishes at Thanksgiving. If you make this, I hope that you will enjoy it just as much as we do.


INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice
1 Can of Condensed Milk
1 Can of Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 Can of Crushed Pineapple
1/2 Cup of Chopped Walnuts
1 Tub of Whipped Topping



Combine all ingredients and mix well.
Freeze until just before serving. Enjoy!

Gentleness in your Home

“Don’t do that!” “Well, he did it to me!” Do you ever feel like yelling these things? I do sometimes. These words are rude and hurtful to the person hearing them. When I talk to someone in my family like that, it makes me feel bad too.

Think about it, when you go out in public, you are on your best behavior. If you talk to someone you do not know very well, you are the best person you can be. When you are home, it is easier to let your temper come out.


Gentleness is being kind and loving to everyone and not just the people outside your home. It doesn’t come naturally. We have to pray to God and grow in faith so that we will produce this special kind of fruit.

How can you show gentleness in your own life? Maybe by smiling when someone is feeling blue, putting a hand on your brother or sister’s shoulder when they are sad, or giving a hug. These things come from the heart. Jesus is the one who gives them to you. When our heart is just right, we will show gentleness.

Let your moderation be known unto ALL men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

Aviation History Month

This is a picture of my daddy's helicopter. He is a commercial pilot. He used to be a firefighter for twenty years, but he always wanted to be able to fly.

If it wasn't for the Wright Brothers, he probably would not be able to do his dream. This month is Aviation History Month. In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright built an airplane. They learned to build their airplane by staying in their shop and working with bicycles, printing presses, motors, and other machines. Figuring how to build it, how it would work, and how they would use it were all the challenges they had in the process. It is amazing how just two people can brainstorm to come up with such an awesome creation.

Today, there are more than just airplanes. There are helicopters, gliders, blimps, hot air balloons, biplanes, and jets. Because of the Wright Brothers' work, we can now go into space with rockets.

Here is a little interview with my dad I want to share with you...

Lady Olivia: What made you want to become a helicopter pilot?

Dad: The idea of being able to go anywhere and do anything in an aircraft (that is, stop, go backwards, go sideways) was what interested me. I have always had a general interest in aviation.

Lady Olivia: What do you have to do to become a pilot?

Dad: You have to obtain a "rating" by going to flight school and ground school. It requires many hours and classroom study done at your own pace. It takes a lot of hard work studying aerodynamics, weather, mechanics, and performance of your aircraft.

Lady Olivia: How is it different to fly an airplane or a helicopter?

Dad: An airplane needs a runway, but a helicopter can take off and land from a single point. Airplanes are faster, but helicopters are more maneuverable. An airplane is much easier to fly than a helicopter.

Lady Olivia: What is it like flying a helicopter?

Dad: It is like standing on a beachball and juggling because you must control four controls at one time without thinking about any one in particular.

Lady Olivia: Is it hard remembering all the controls?

Dad: It is at first, but then it becomes second nature.

Lady Olivia: Do you enjoy your job and do you ever get nervous about flying?

Dad: I enjoy my job because I love to fly. I don't get nervous because my skill level allows me to control the aircraft, but above all, I trust in the Lord for my safety and protection.

I hope you enjoyed learning about aviation and my interview with my father.

"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55:6

Pumpkin Cookie Recipe

It is definitely October. Pumpkins decorate front porches and store fronts.

Olivia and I found this wonderful salvation illustration using a pumpkin. The author is unknown, but after reading it, you may never look at a pumpkin the same way again.

A lady had recently been baptized. One of her co-workers asked her what it was like to be a Christian. She was caught off guard and didn't know how to answer, but when she looked up she saw a jack-o'-lantern on the desk and answered, ”It's like being a pumpkin." The worker asked her to explain that one. "Well, God picks you from the patch and brings you in and washes off all the dirt on the outside that you got from being around all the other pumpkins. Then he cuts off the top and takes all the yucky stuff out from inside. He removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then he carves you a new smiling face and puts his light inside of you to shine for all to see. It is our choice to either stay outside and rot on the vine or come inside and be something new and bright."

Wouldn’t this be a great way to present the gospel to children or someone who observes Halloween?

While we’re talking about pumpkins, we would like to share a recipe for "Chewy Pumpkin Cookies". You really need to try it since it is National Cookie Month! We found this wonderful recipe at www.verybestbaking.com.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup of canned pumpkin
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze (recipe follows)

Directions:PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.

COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

FOR GLAZE:COMBINE 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth.

Enjoy!

*Note: GGM is not an advocate for Halloween, however when the opportunity arises among other children the illustration above is excellent for reaching them with the gospel.

Do you have bling?

Bling-bling! It sparkles. It shines. And it surely catches your eye! You’ll be the envy of all your friends if you buy the new and improved Bedazzler.

The new thing in fashion is to be caught covered in sequins and sparkles from your head to your toes. It’s everywhere in magazines, on TV, in the mail catalogs and even in country stores I go in.

How do you want to attract attention…with sparkles and it being all about your outer appearance or do you want it to be about what is inside you? Every girl has a choice. I get tempted to think how do I look in this outfit, do these shoes match with this shirt, or is my hair alright? In fact I think like that every day and I probably shouldn’t do it at all.

What if instead we let our sparkle and light come from the inside? Let’s ask questions instead, asking if we have all the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Now that is some shiny fruit that is sure to sparkle and attract attention!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

World Smile Day

Do you recognize this picture?

Henry Ball is the artist who created the yellow smiley face in 1963. This has become one of the biggest symbols of happiness known to this day. He decided that one day a year should be dedicated to smiling and doing acts of kindness.

When I smile it makes me feel happy. When someone smiles at me, it makes me feel that that person cares about me. If you think about it why would someone smile if it had no meaning? They must be in a good mood and have a good attitude for it to really mean something.

A smile means happiness. When Christians smile it can show that we have joy. When people ask us why we’re so happy we can just tell them that we have the love of Jesus.

On World Smile Day, we can make people smile by showing acts of kindness. Here are some ideas for you…

Make a get well card for someone who is sick
Hold the door open for someone
Be the first to give a friendly “Hello”
Hug a friend
Help your mom without being asked
Ask your dad how his day was
Ask your younger sibling if they want to play a fun game
And of course, SMILE!

Do you have another idea to make someone smile? If so, please leave a comment.

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

National Cookie Month

Accidents are usually not any good, but this accident I am going to tell you about isn’t so bad at all. Did you know the first cookies were created by accident? Bakers used to test

their ovens by putting little bits of cake batter to test the temperature of their oven. In Dutch, these tiny cakes were called “koekje”. So by accident, this is how the first cookies came to be.

We all know that a cookie is a small little baked cake. I learned at http://www.recipezaar.com/ that outside of North America, the most common word for it is biscuit.

I also discovered that there are many different kinds of cookies...

Drop cookies are made by dropping spoonfuls of dough on a baking sheet. While they bake, the dough spreads and gets flat. Chocolate chip cookies are one of the best examples of drop cookies.

Refrigerator cookies are made from a stiff dough that is refrigerated to become even stiffer. The dough can be formed in tubes and sliced in cookie shapes. You can find store bought cookies like this.

Molded cookies are made from dough that is very stiff. These can be formed into balls or different shapes before cooking. Snickerdoodles are really good molded cookies that are rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking.

Rolled cookies are made from a very stiff dough that is rolled out. You can then use a cookie cutter to make whatever shaped cookie you want.

Bar cookies are really easy because you just spread the dough into a pan and then let it cook like a cake. After they are cooled you can cut them into cookie sized pieces.

Here is a poem I wrote about cookies…

Cookies chewy and sweet
So good to eat
Chocolate, peanut butter all so nice
Warm with milk and some spice
Cookies big and small
In winter, spring, summer, or fall

Make sure you stay tuned for a new cookie recipe in my Creative Kitchen article for this month!
(photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/975800)

Creative Kitchen - Caterpillar Apple

Maybe you noticed that in this issue of Growing in Grace, there are many articles about apples. Mrs. Brown wrote about 'Tis the Season to Harvest Apples', Miss Hannah taught about Johnny Appleseed: Sowing the Gospel and Apple Trees.

My mom made this caterpillar for me and my brother one morning. You can see the apples in the caterpillar. It is made with cut up pieces of banana halves. In between are apple slices. She used cranberries for the eyes, but you can use raisins if you want. The antennae are from cherries. It was served on yogurt, but you can also place it on a leaf of lettuce. This is a good recipe because it is fun to look at, kid friendly, and good to eat.

Most everyone knows about caterpillars. They eventually become butterflies. When you become a Christian, the Bible says you are reborn like a butterfly. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Enjoy this recipe and remember, you are a new creation in Christ!

Happy Apple Month.