Navy Day

On Friday, October 13, 1775 the United States Navy’s foundations were formed. It all started with two sailing vessels, outfitted, manned, and sent out for 3-month deployments. From these modest beginnings eventually grew our modern day Navy. Now the Navy has over 300,000 active personnel and has a fleet that includes aircraft carriers, amphibious warfare vessels, surface vessels and submarines.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
1775 The U.S.. Navy was originally called the Continental Navy and started during the American Revolution.

1789 Constitutional provision for Congress to “provide and maintain a Navy”.

1794 Congress first uses the power given by the 1789 constitutional provision and manned six frigates in response to an international crisis.

1798 Department of the Navy established. Prior to this the Department of War was solely responsible for the Navy.

1814 Naval Regulations Established

1911 Official Defining of Many Naval Terms

1932 Articles for the Government of the Navy

1940 Naval Expansion Act

1941 The Navy’s involvement in World War II, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor, brought it into international recognition.

TRADITIONS: From the uniforms to the terminology to the signals of whistles, bells and flags everything has a meaning.

Naval Historical Center provides a wealth of information about heritage of the Navy.

The official Navy colors are blue and gold.

The Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father, Strong to Save"

Navy March: "Anchors Aweigh"
The music was composed by Lt. Charles A. Zimmerman in 1906 as a march for the Naval Academy Class of 1907 and the lyrics were written by Midshipman Alfred H. Miles. It was first performed at the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia.

Navy Motto
There is no official motto for the U.S. Navy. "Non sibi sed patriae" (Not self but country) is often cited as the Navy's motto, however.

Just a Bit of TRIVIA
Sailing vessels are referred to in the feminine/ “she”!

Submarines are called boats… never ships!

The collar on an enlisted uniform was originally designed to protect the uniform from the tar on a sailor’s braid!

Sailors used to be (and may still be?) taught how to turn their uniform into a floatation device if need be!

Did you know that the Navy also has a Deep Submergence Research submarine? Or at least it does until next month. NR-1 is being decommissioned and the Navy does not have any current plans to replace her.. You can read more about this unique vessel: NR-1 Deep Submergence Craft. My husband served on this vessel as well as two nuclear powered submarines (The USS Omaha and The USS San Juan) and currently works refueling submarines!

TODAY’S NAVY
The Navy is rich in its past, but it is also innovative and is in constant forward movement to keep it efficient and effective!

Turbines that float on magnets instead of using oil, all electric nuclear powered air craft carriers, alternative propulsion methods and many new technologies are under

development even now! One example that you can read about is a new class of aircraft carrier: Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier



As a Navy wife, I feel a certain patriotic tug at my heart at the sight of the ships in our local shipyard, or the frequent images of families greeting returning sailors on the dock. Especially emotional are the pictures of daddies being introduced to newborns born during their absences. It’s not easy being a Navy family, but we are proud of the heritage of the Navy’s rich past and are blessed to be a part of the Navy’s present as we serve our country together, each in our own unique ways!

October 2008

The crisp cool air hits my face in the mornings now as I arise to meet another day. The leaves are losing their chlorophyll and bringing us the beautiful gift of color that Autumn brings. We know that Autumn is upon us and winter is coming soon. During these cold upcoming months we will shiver as we open the windows, but we know the spring will come again. We will endure the cold months with the faith that we will soon see and feel and warm sunshine again. This endurance reminds me of the fruit of the Spirit that every Christians should bear in their own lives, the fruit of longsuffering.

We're excited to bring to you our ninth issue of Growing in Grace Magazine! Be sure to leave a comment thanking our writers and our team for the contribution they give to you as they commit themselves each month to prayer and Bible study as they write what God has placed upon their hearts. Our team volunteers each month to give you their time and talent. Our desire is to encourage and inspire you to live a life that is well pleasing to the Lord.

Happy Autumn and may you grow in grace this beautiful season!

Editor-in-Chief
Growing in Grace Magazine

To view the entire magazine in one post *click here*

Special Announcements:

As always we have some giveaways tucked inside this issue so be sure to find the articles with the *GIVEAWAY* notice next to them. A special thank you to our sponsors this month! You'll find their ads and links throughout our site and listed below. 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!

*Have you ever thought about contributing to Growing in Grace Magazine? Do you have a gift for 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 Amanda, SuperAngel
by Sister Angie

Pastor Appreciation
by Lady Jess

National Disability Month
by SisterAngie

National Fire Prevention Week: October 5th - 11th
by Miss Monica June

Sukkot: A Biblical Fall Festival
by Mrs. Brown

Columns:

Fact of the Matter: It Doesn't Matter
by Sisterlisa

The Faith Factor: Evangelize with Earrings! *GIVEAWAY*
by Miss Monica June

Healthy Steps: National Vegetarian Month
by Lady Jess

Fun Articles:

OCTOBER Desktop/Wallpaper No longer available

Computer Learning Month
by SisterAngie

National Cookie Month
by Lady Olivia

National Pizza Month
by Miss Virginia



Navy Wife
by Mrs. Brown

Graphics coordinated 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
This month's layout created with 'My Hearts Delight' from:
Studio Doris
Layout Coordinator: Sisterlisa at designer G's

Home Educators Appreciation

October is the month that many homeschooling families begin their school year and/or file their private school status with the state. We know that our country just honored 'teachers', yet so many times home educators go unnoticed. Growing in Grace Magazine is not forgetting the hard work and dedication that parents give to their children. During the month of October we are going to have a very special giveaway for three special home educators. We are setting aside a day to honor all home educators and will be giving away three prize packages.

The following categories are:
Home educators of:
a. Up to one year of homeschooling
b. Up to five years of homeschooling
c. Up to ten years + of homeschooling

Be sure to subscribe in the subscription box to the right and stay updated on more announcements coming soon! (And spread the word!)

Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Therefore, I have decided to post a few ideas to let your pastor know that you appreciate him.

Flood your pastor's mailbox with cards. Choose a week and get the word out quietly...this pastor appreciation idea works best if it's a surprise. You could choose a week that you know will be especially difficult for your pastor. Or, flood his mailbox while he is away on vacation or at a conference so that he is welcomed home by an avalanche of greetings.

Don't forget the pastor's family's birthdays.

Find out what his favourites are. Favourite candy bar, soda, dessert; any of these.

Send he and his family a gift certificate to a nice restaurant.

Just tell him how much he and his family means to you.

These are just to name a few of the many things that you could do for your pastor. Think of some things on your own.

Happy Pastor appreciation month to every single pastor of the church of God out there.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7, "¹This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

²A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

³Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

⁴One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

⁵(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

⁶Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

⁷Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil"

We appreciate all of the pastors in this world. Keep on preaching the Word and pleasing God. You will be blessed.

*SHOUT OUT TO MY PASTOR* I love you, Pastor R, in all of the right ways. I appreciate how much you have served us in these past years and encouraged me every step of the way. I am so proud to call you my pastor and friend. If there is ever any thing that our family can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.

National Disability Month

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

One-tenth of the world has a physical disability of some kind. This population is often overlooked because many people are intimidated, or feel inadequate or limited in knowing how to reach out to them.

Years ago, I was a special education teacher in public schools. I will never forget the children who I worked with, all of which had some form of disability. I loved these little ones like they were my own. They were overlooked and even rejected by many because they didn’t fit in with the norm, but that drew me to them all the more. Daisy was a special little girl who had a face as precious as the flower itself. Upon entering the school she would make a bee-line to my room for a special greeting and hug. Though she was mentally challenged, she sure did not lack the capacity for love. We must not forget that!

Jesus always made it a priority to reach out to those with physical needs and we should do the same. There are many things we can do to follow his example. Sisterlisa has a ministry in which she helps interpret for the deaf community, though she carefully emphasizes that this group regards themselves as not being disabled. Rather, they are joined together by a common language. She has taken the time and energy to learn that language and partner with them in ministry. You can learn more about this at Homespun Life.

Joni Eareckson Tada is a great hero of the faith. At 17, she was injured in a diving accident and has used that unfortunate event to reach out to those affected by disabilities. She coordinates family retreats, wheelchair outreaches and mission projects all over the world. Let me tell you that she has ministered to my own heart many times over through books and daily devotionals that I receive by email every day.

There are a number of ministries that reach out to those with challenges which you can partner with, but also remember, there are those who you come in contact with every day who are in need. Consider the person in the automated chair at the grocery store. Could you help them by holding a door open or by getting something off the top of a shelf for them? Perhaps there is someone in your own church who is wheelchair bound or even homebound and unable to come to church. Make an effort to get to know these people and help in some practical way. Pray for them. Love them. It is good that we become more aware of these needs and be obedient to be the hands of Jesus reaching out to these often overlooked people.

(photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/400867)

Fire Prevention Week

October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week. I got to interview our local Fire Prevention Specialist, who was promoted to Fire Inspector after faithfully serving at her post for four years. Mrs. Fickert has been the local inspector since 2000 and still teaches fire prevention. My mom and I were able to meet with Mrs. Fickert over an afternoon java and I had some interesting questions to ask her.


What are fires most commonly started by?
Mrs. F: Unattended cooking and electrical appliances.


What does a Fire Prevention Specialist do?
Mrs. F: Fire Prevention Specialist means stopping people from doing accidental fires by teaching them.

How do you know if a fire is started by a candle or a cigarette?
Origin and Cause Investigation

Origin-location, a place
Cause- what started it

Mrs. F: When I walk into a home that has been burned I find the place that has the most damage. When a fire burns it forms a V shape then continues to burn from there. I interview the people who were there or neighbors who saw it happen. Sometimes I'll ask people to draw a layout of what their home looked like. I ask questions about what items were on tables and shelves. Soon I'm able to find out if it as a candle or a cigarette.

How often should you change the battery in your smoke detector?
Mrs. F: Every six months. A tip is to change the batteries when you turn your clocks for day light savings.

And how often should we test them?
Mrs. F: Monthly. When you buy your calendar take a few minutes to write on the first of every month that you should test your batteries. Make it a habit.

How do we test them?
Mrs. F: Push the test button. If it's too high to reach you can use a broom handle. One more thing Miss Monica! Fire Detectors have a shelf life of only seven to ten years. If you live in an older home you should replace them.


How do you put out a kitchen fire?
Mrs. F: Grease Fires are put out in two steps.
1. Turn off the heat source.
2. With a hand mitt, slowly place the pan's lid over the fire.

This puts out the oxygen and the fire can't breathe anymore. It needs oxygen to burn. Never use water or any type of liquid in a grease fire.


What is your favorite part of your job?
Mrs. F: Everything! My motto is do what you love and love what you do.


How do you help children in your community?
Mrs. F: Education and going to schools. We have 'field trips' each year and the children can come to our location and learn about fire safety. We also teach for large groups.

Where do you send children when they are badly burned?
The Burn Center UC Davis and Shriners Hospital

How can a family establish a fire escape route?
Mrs. F: There are two acronyms:
E.D.I.T.H.
E.xit

D.rills

I.n

T.he

H.ome


and

D.A.N.

D.rill

A.t

N.ight

Plan to have drills both in the day time and at night. Plan to meet in one location such as across the street or at a neighbor's house. If you wake up and smell smoke crawl on the floor to the door. Do NOT touch the door handle, until you first feel the door. If the door is hot do not touch the handle and exit through the window.


How often should a family have a fire drill?
Mrs. F: Twice a year, you can do it during the week of day light savings.


What size fire extinguisher should a single family home have and where should they place it?
Mrs. F: They should place it in their bedroom(your parent's room) and in a garage. You can also have a dry chemical extinguisher in the kitchen.

What other ways can a family enjoy candles without a flame?
Mrs. F: By using a Candle Warmer or Electric candle. Costco has battery operated candles that appear to have a flame in them.

What does your community do for Fire Prevention Week?
Fire and health safety expo every year. We have one this Wednesday.

Do most fire departments give tours of their facility?
Mrs. F: All facilities do! Just give them a call.

How can kids get involved in helping their community for fire prevention week?
Mrs. F: We have what we call Fire Pals. These are young people like you who volunteer to help us with our Expo. Just like how you're going to do for us on Wednesday.

Is it safe to run appliances when you’re not home? (ie:washing machine, dishwasher, etc?
Mrs. F: No, it is not safe. Don't even run them when you are asleep.

Should we turn off space heaters before going to bed or can we leave them on to stay warm?
Mrs. F: Turn them off. When you are using them make sure that there is 5 ft. of space around the space heater at all times. Also, you should unplug it for nighttime.

Thank you Mrs. Fickert for meeting with us for
this interview. Here are some links that she said we could share with you.

National Fire Prevention Association
Sparky the Dog
Smokey Bear

My family is going to prepare a fire escape plan for our home and practice some fire drills. Mrs. Fickert suggested that the night time drill be done spontaneously, which means without notice. She also said do it once the children are already asleep. This gives them some practice on what to do when they aren't ready for it, which is what would happen if your home was on fire.

Now I have some questions for you:
When was the last time you checked your fire detectors batteries?
Do your detectors need new batteries? If so let us know when you've replaced them.
Do you have an escape route planned?
Do your children know what to do in a fire?
Will you commit yourself to having some of your own fire drills?

Sukkot: A Biblical Fall Festival

[ref: The Hebrew pronunciation of Sukkot is "Sue- COAT," but is often pronounced as in Yiddish, which rhymes with "BOOK us."]

In the Jewish month of Tishri there are three major Biblical Feasts: The Feast of Trumpets (The Jewish New Year called Rosh Hashanah), The Day of Atonement (a day of repentance called Yom Kippur), and The Feast of Tabernacles (a joyful celebration called Sukkot). This year Tishri falls in our month of October and specifically Sukkot, a seven day festival, begins on October 13.

In the Old Testament God commanded the people to live in sukkahs, or booths, for seven days just as the people lived when they left Egypt. At this time of the year Jews and many others who chose to observe the Biblical feasts live in tents or booths for a week. Some modify it a bit and just take their evening meal in their sukkah.

In Leviticus 23:33-43 we find specific direction for the design and décor of a sukkah with an open roof and bunches of produce in addition to four specific species of plants called the lulav which are to be waved during special ceremonial times during the celebration.

Leviticus 23:33-43
33And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
34Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
35On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
36Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
37These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
38Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.
39Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
40And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
41And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
42Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
43That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

According to A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson, “Everything in the Torah…has a prophetic as well as historical significance and merits our careful attention.” The Messianic significance of The Feast of Tabernacles involves our spiritual past, present and future from the birth of Jesus, the Messiah when he came to TABERNACLE among us (John 14:14) to the coming Millennial Reign of Christ on earth following the rapture of the Church in the Last Days. “Or possibly when we will tabernacle (dwell) with God in Heaven.”

There is speculation that Jesus’ birth may have actually been during The Feast of Tabernacles. Historical records (such as Flavius Josephus)and the Bible can tell us the approximate time of Zacharias' high priestly duties. We know when in this process John was born and we know how far along Elisabeth was compared to Mary... so we can make a very close guess to the time of the year Jesus' must have been born. Some historians and theologians use this timeline to present a convincing argument for the birth of the Messiah during this Festival. Though we do not know for sure, it is interesting to study and learn about. To read more about this theory go to: http://biblelight.net/sukkoth.htm

Also interesting to note are some of the other references to Sukkot throughout the Bible. In several places in the Old Testament we can read about this special feast. (See Deut. 16: 13-15 and Num. 29:12-40 for starters!) In the New Testament we read in John chapter 7 about Jesus secretly attending the Feast of Tabernacles after sending His disciples on ahead of Himself. Paul also observed the feast as is recorded in Acts 18.

I have also read several articles that have mentioned that the First Thanksgiving was very likely an observance of The Feast of Tabernacles. It included many of the elements of Sukkot and was actually first held in October, not November. With the understanding that our forefathers came to America to have a place where they could return to a Biblical lifestyle in work, worship and relationships then we can see that it is very probable that they would have known of the Old Testament feasts and would have desired to celebrate them. They were so thankful for surviving through the difficulties that those early years in America posed and certainly added new traditions of their own to the feast, but may have very well had this "lasting ordinance" of God in mind when they organized those first events!

In our family we take out our Nativity Scene in time for Sukkot. I built a little mini sukkah in which our figurines of Joseph and Mary and Baby Jesus tabernacle throughout the season. It definitely opens up many discussions when people enter our home and see it there. This year consider setting up a little temporary shelter in your yard and partaking of at least one meal there to celebrate Sukkot. Reflect upon all it means to us as believers in Christ and the blessings we have in allowing Him to tabernacle within US!

John 7:37-39
37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

It Doesn't Matter

Many of us know the story of Job and how much he suffered. He lost his children, his home, all his cattle, and even suffered from boils all over his body. We hear about the 'patience' of Job, yet we forget to take notice that he also exemplified the Spirit's fruit of longsuffering.

When Lady Jess was about four years old, she suffered emotionally from her daddy not being in our lives. Some of you know our story of how God delivered my husband from an unhealthy lifestyle of drug abuse. We don't hold that back as a secret from the public eye. It is very much a part of our testimony in how God has changed our lives. Whenever I write or speak about this story, it all is to the glory of God and not to be a detriment to my husband's walk with Christ. His desire is that the Lord would use his story as a way to reach other men so that their families can also be restored through the power of Christ's resurrection.

One night, when Lady Jess was four years old, I tucked her into bed in my room. My mother was over for a visit and she was going to be sleeping in Jess' room. My mother and I stayed up later than Jess so that we could talk. A while later I could hear talking from my room. It was a slight whisper, or so it seemed from where I was in the living room. I thought she was being disobedient to me tucking her in for the night, so I slipped quietly over to the door that was cracked open. What I saw caused me to freeze in my steps. I motioned to my mother so that she could come see what I was seeing. There in my room, on her knees, beside my bed, was little Lady Jess. This four year old little girl had her head bowed and her hands firmly folded and cried in agony to the Lord. I had never, and still have never, seen a small child such as this, agonize in prayer like that. She cried and sobbed out her words to the point where she could barely breathe. These were the words she prayed,

"Dear God..Oh Dear God(sniffle).........(sobs and deep breathing) won't you PLEASE bring my daddy back home?!?(long sobs......) I miss him so much! Wherever he is right now, please tell him that I love him(silence......) and bring my daddy home. please God, Oh PLEASE bring my daddy home soon. Help him to love you and make his heart right with you....."

I quietly crept back away from the door to allow her to have that moment alone with her God. That night I realized that my four year old daughter had a very real and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As much as I wanted to rush to her side to bring comfort to her and hold her in my arms, I knew that honor belonged only to the Lord himself. His Holy Spirit is the only one who could bring comfort to her little aching heart. I don't know how many nights she prayed like that, but I do know that she was bearing the fruit of longsuffering.

Now maybe you question the Lord, because after all how could a loving God allow such a heartache in a small child like that? This is a serious question that many people find themselves asking time and time again. Our dear friend Marsha does not get to snuggle with her little son, Christian, anymore and his brothers feel that loss. Christian went to heaven just a few weeks ago. This last month may have felt like a year to their family, yet the pain can sometimes feel like he just left yesterday. Our other dear friend Miss Megan has been without her precious daughter Kelly for some time now and her sons miss their sister. Another friend of ours, a single mom, just went to heaven and left behind three teen boys. Why do children go through such suffering?

I can tell you this, my daughter Jess exhibits the fruit of longsuffering and it has enhanced her walk with God and her faith in Him as well. She may have gone through a tremendously difficult time at such a young age, but God is always working! Shortly after that night when she prayed, she was sitting in Sunday School. Next to her sat a girl who could not stop the flow of tears from her eyes. Every second her crying became stronger until the teacher could no longer teach through her sadness. Their teacher was our Pastor's Wife. She told me about this later that night. Our Pastor's Wife said that this story was the topic of conversation around Pastor's dinner table that day.

She looked at the new little girl and said, "Sweetie, why are you crying? Are you ok?" The girl replied with tears streaming down her face, "The police came to my house last night and took my daddy away. I don't know when I'll get to see him again." At that moment, before the teacher could say anything, little Lady Jess, at the age of four years old, wrapped her arm around the little girl and said these words, "It's ok. I'll be your friend today and I won't leave you."

Little Lady Jess stayed by her side ALL morning and never took her arm off the other girl's shoulder. God has used her own grief and sorrow and turned it into a precious fruit called longsuffering. She knows that God is faithful. She easily could have lost her faith and cried over her own sadness, yet she was filled with the Spirit and showed compassion to a little girl who was experiencing a similar loss, the loss of her daddy being at home.

Little Lady Jess continued to pray for her daddy and did not give up hope. Not only that, but she continued to pray through her pain and when the day came that her daddy finally did come home, she experienced that sweet answer to prayer with tears yet again. Only this time her tears were of joy. The Spirit had brought a relief to her heart and her burden was lifted.

Psalm 126:5, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

A few years after our family was reunited, Lady Jess had an opportunity to participate in 'Show and Tell' at her Christian School. It was near Christmas so she wrote a story about why Jesus is better than Santa Clause. At the end of the story she says, "and Jesus is better than Santa Clause because Jesus changes lives. He changed my daddy's life and so this is why my show and tell is my daddy." Then her daddy walked into the room and the teacher cried. Her daddy spoke to the kids for a minute about hod God does change lives still today and then went back to work for the day. Two kids in class rose their hands and with tears in their eyes asked Lady Jess, "Can God help my dad too?" Both of those children had dads who were in prison. She was so happy to know that what she had suffered through for so many years, was bringing encouragement to other people.

I know it's hard to live day to day with a heartache, but God is still in control. He knows our pain and Jesus still prays for us today. He suffered through a cruel death on the cross for us. Thinking about how much pain we suffer, does not even compare to what he suffered for us. We can take one day at a time, pray to the Lord, and bear the fruit of longsuffering. It really doesn't matter what we go through in comparison to what Jesus went through for us.

Faith Factor: Evangelize with Jewelry

There are so many creative ways we can help spread the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. One way I like to do this is with jewelry. I made these earrings with just a few simple tools and some small pony beads.

You'll need:
small pony beads in these colors: yellow, black, red, white, and green.
earring hooks
earrings posts
jewelry making tools
clear small beads
small silver spacers

My mom got me a bead tray to help me sort out my beads. This helps so that your beads don't roll off the table, and you can arrange them neatly in the groove until you get the pattern just the way you like it for whatever project you're making.

First place the clear bead on the post, then the rest in the order listed above. Add the silver spacer last then use your tool to curve the post into a small loop.

Slide the loop into the loop of the earring hook and close with your tool.

I have three pairs to send to three special winners.
Here's what you'll need to do to enter:

1. Post about this giveaway on your blog.
2. Place the graphic in your side bar.
3. Leave a comment in the box below with your link so we know you've completed the sign ups.
4. Commit yourself to sharing the gospel with others as they ask about your earrings!

Each color is a symbol of the verses God gives us to learn about our Saviour.

Yellow- God loves you and wants you to go to heaven. Yellow stands for the gold streets in heaven. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Black- We all make mistakes. When we do bad things the Bible calls that sin. Sin is not allowed in heaven and has a payment. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 6:23a, "For the wages of sin is death;"

Red- Is for Jesus blood which is shed for you. Jesus knew we were already sinners, but he still died to pay our sin debt. He had the hard part. Luke 22:20, "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

White- He washes our sins away so that we can enter heaven. Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

He died as a gift for us. Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: " But as with any gift, if you don't receive it, then it's not actually yours yet. The gift must be received.

Once you realize that you are a sinner, confess to God your need for the Saviour, and by faith trust in His death as the payment for your sins.

Green- Go tell someone else what decision you made. Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Acts 4:20, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Deadline to enter is October 15th!

Grab the code and spread the word!

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National Vegetarian Month

October is National Vegetarian Month
Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes meat (including game and slaughter by-products), fish (including shellfish and other sea animals) and poultry. There are several variants of the diet, some of which also exclude eggs and/or some products produced from animal labour such as dairy products and honey.

The first kind is called Lacto-Vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products, but excludes eggs.

The second is called Ovo-Vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes eggs, but excludes dairy products.

The third is called Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products and eggs in their diet.

The fourth is called a Pesco-vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes fish.

The fifth is a veganism. It is a form of vegetarianism which excludes all animal products from the diet, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey. Strict veganism also excludes the use of animal products such as wool, silk, leather, and fur for attire and adornment, even though some of these do not directly involve the death or slaughter of an animal.

Different fruits and vegetables have different vitamins in them. Therefore I thought that I would tell you what kinds of foods have which vitamins in them.

Vitamin A

• orange fruits and vegetables (like cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes)
• dark green leafy vegetables (like kale, collards, spinach)

Vitamin B

• leafy green vegetables
• beans and peas

Vitamin C

• citrus fruits, like oranges
• cantaloupe
• strawberries
• tomatoes
• broccoli
• cabbage
• kiwi fruit
• sweet red peppers

Vitamin E

• whole grains, such as wheat and oats
• wheat germ
• leafy green vegetables
• nuts and seeds

Vitamin K

• leafy green vegetables
• broccoli
• soybean oil

Leafy green vegetables means dark green. This is all to just name a few of the many, many vitamins that are in all of the fruits and vegetables that you eat.

The Bible says in

1 Timothy 4:1-5, "1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."

Remember, God gave us meat to eat. It is o.k. to abstain from eating meat for what ever health reasons or whatever, but remember that the Lord gave us meat as a blessing to us.

**CAUTION**

If you do decide to take this sort of a step in your life, I would caution you. Cutting out meat in your diet is cutting out the vitamin B12. This vitamin is important to keep your health. Also, if you do not get the proper nutrients you could become very sluggish and tired all of the time. But, you can take vitamin supplements and the like to make up for the loss of that particular vitamin. If you become a vegetarian, people might ask you if you eat fish. The first thought that will probably come to your head is "No, it's meat. Duh." But, the reason they are asking is because fish includes the vitamin called omega-3, also important to your health. But you can also take vitamins to get this. If you decide to take this step for any reason at all. If it be related to morality, religion, culture, ethics, aesthetics, environment, society, economy, politics, taste, or health; just remember be safe. :)

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)