September 2006  Vol. 4 # 9

August 2006  Vol. 4 # 8

July 2006  Vol. 4 # 7

June 2006  Vol. 4 # 6

April 2006  Vol. 4 # 4

March 2006  Vol. 4 # 3

February 2006  Vol. 4 # 2

January 2006  Vol. 4 # 1

Treasures From My Heart to Yours

Free email newsletter reaching over 800 women.

Offering encouragement to mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers

Editor: Donna Kauffman

Author: Treasured Meditations for Mothers and Grandmothers

The Treasure of Careful Planning--Enjoy the Gift of Organization,

Treasures From a Waiting Heart--Experiencing His Healing Presence

rdkauffman@alltel.net

Blog: http://treasuresbooks.blogspot.com/

Website: http://treasuresbooks.bravehost.com

4139 Kinsman Road

N. Bloomfield, OH 44450

440-693-4070

Volume 4 #8 August 2006

_____________________________________________________________________________

*NOTICE: Sometimes it appears that my group list deletes addresses. If you find you don’t receive the newsletter by the 5^th of each month, please send a note with your address and I’ll add it back onto the list.

 

Preserving Food for the Winter

In July, my daughter, Rachel and her children spent a few days with us here in Ohio. On one of those days my daughter, Christa who lives close by, Rachel and I canned four bushel of green beans. While the girls snipped beans at the table, I stuffed them into jars at the kitchen sink.

While I worked at the sink I delighted in listening to my mother-daughters share their hearts with each other. The two discussed various topics, most of which pertained to their children. One would suggest something she had read and found helpful relating to child discipline. The other brought up ways she’s learning to enjoy her children. They talked over little antics the children do and the different personalities of various ones.

They moved on to schooling topics and shared different reasons they’ve arrived at the decision to home school. They speculated about if they would choose to send their children to school some time, what age might be best, and on and on. Then curriculum ideas were discussed. Each talked about their plan for a school schedule and when they plan to get school underway. This is the first year for both of their oldest children to start school. They chuckled together when they agreed that neither feels like they have a clue what they’re doing, but they’ll launch off and pray the Father’s presence to lead them.

All the while, children meandered in and out. Three year old Alyssa sat at the table and snipped beans for two hours. Kyle, Kassie, Sierra and Aleya snipped one bowl full, took a break, and then snipped another bowl full. While the little ones were at the table, conversation centered around their thoughts and stories.

After musing over all of this table clatter for some time, I began to tell the children, “When Grandma was a little girl…” That’s all it takes for everything to quiet down and ears to listen up. I told about Grandma sitting around the table with great Grandma Zook and all my sister-siblings. “We canned great big amounts of food for eleven people in the household,” I continued. “Our jars were twice the size of these quarts. They were two-quart jars. With us four girls around the table and great Grandma at the kitchen sink, we often giggled over things, and sang fun songs, and had as merry of a time as we’re having today.” The children revel in long-ago stories from Grandma even as simple as this story was.

But to me on that bean-canning day, the greatest thrill came while standing by the kitchen sink, listening with my whole heart to all the conversation around that table. It was most pleasurable to silently work away with my ears tuned to every word that was shared.

Your Friend,

Donna

Proverbs 31:26

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From the scriptures

Children's children are the crown of old men,

and the glory of children are their fathers.

Proverbs 17:6

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My new Book has arrived:

Treasured Meditations

For

Mothers and Grandmothers

Quiet Moments for the Busy Homemaker

It arrived today. The printing company did a great job and it’s now available for sale at $12.00 per book, except for the month of August -- The New Arrival sale: it’s going for $11.00. If you order four books or more they are $10.50 each totaling $42.00. If you know of any store that might like to carry the book I would be happy to have the name, address and phone number. Thank you.

Here’s what Hope Byler has written for the back of the book:

Can you envision those long-ago days? Many a child climbed onto Jesus’ lap and felt His gentle touch. Today He gives you and me the blessing of being His arms, His smile, His care to the little ones. Days of busy motherhood bustle past in a haze of diapers, dishes and exhaustion. At the feet of Jesus we reach for quiet refreshing moments to keep giving to our tiny ones. We long for the Father to help us weed out the unnecessary, and devote this season of life to pour love into our special little souls.

Reaching the grandmothering stage, you may find a hand reaches for yours as you meander through a sunny meadow. Arms entwine your neck as you sway together on the porch swing. Expectant eyes search your face, waiting for yet another story. A godly grandmother has a beautiful and priceless influence in the lives of her grandchildren.

This book is for all who touch the lives of children. Full of delightful, bite-sized devotionals, you can grab a quick “snack” on the run, or sit and ponder Donna’s purposeful thoughts at your leisure. As you read, you’ll find a story that’s sure to bring a smile, a verse to reflect on, and a practical nugget to wing you into your next hours with renewed creativity and enthusiasm. -Hope Byler, wife, mother of 6, author of poetry, editor

Anita Zook, editor of the book writes:

Welcome to an uplifting reading experience. You will be inspired and challenged as Donna shares some of the heart-treasures God has given her. You will see with new eyes some very common daily experiences.

The intention of this book is not for you, as the reader, to take in the whole message at once. Instead, it was written for use as a daily inspiration. There is a treasure in each devotional, gleaned by Donna from her daily life, making it very practical and easy to relate to. God has blessed Donna with a gift of taking ordinary happenings and relating them to spiritual truths in an unforgettable way.

I encourage you to pick up this book and read one or two devotionals at a time as the opportunity arises. Then ponder what you’ve read as you go about your daily duties. Your life will be enriched and blessed as mine has already been.

And here’s an excerpt:

“Jesus, I Just Love My Daddy”

It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Romans 8:34

My son-in-law, Rod, had a trip planned to the Cleveland airport. He was to meet his friend there. Kyle, was ecstatic when his mother shared good news with him. She told Kyle, “When Daddy is ready to go to the airport, he would like to take you along with him.”

A few minutes later Kyle felt overcome with anticipation about the upcoming event. He came to Christa saying, “Mommy, I just love my daddy.” He went on to tell his mother this little story: “Mommy, last night I got out of my bed and knelt beside it. I folded my hands like this (he clasped his little hands together), and I said, ‘Jesus, I just love my daddy.’ Then I prayed for my daddy. I knelt there just like Samuel did when he had on his white robe with that rope tied around it. That’s how I prayed for my daddy.”

I can hardly think of this little story without my eyes brimming with tears. How blessed I am for daddies that dearly love and care for my grandchildren. My heart nearly bursts when I listen to my grandchildren take to heart what they’re learning during their family altar times. The Word of God is quick and powerful and speaks right into the souls of even tiny children. And how thankful I am that Jesus intercedes to the Father for Kyle when he prays in earnest about his love for his daddy.

Prayer: I ask You, Father, to touch the hearts of each of my grandchildren. Allow them to remain sensitive and true to You as long as they live. In Your Name I ask. Amen

 Spend a few minutes today reading to your children from a Bible Story book. Show them the pictures describing the story you’re reading. Exclaim at the wonder of God’s work in the Bible times.

Additional Ponderings:

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Poem

Please send your poetry to rdkauffman@alltel.net.

I WONDER

By Ruth Martin

I Wonder

If the delicate violets

Edging the trodden lane ,

Are content to dot the ground

Beauty - midst the mundane.

I Wonder

If the fronds bravely unfurling

Pressed by rocks, relentless walls,

Peer longingly at their fellow ferns

Flourishing effortlessly in soft sod.

I Wonder

If each bird delights to sing

The songs belonging just to him,

Or does he listen and often wish

Another's trills were really his.

I Wonder

If trees standing slender and tall

Their roots hungering to grow deep,

Value the strength and gentle grace

Trees bent by life's storms and shaped.

I Wonder

If the fallen, browned oak leaves,

Crumpled and trodden into the ground,

Becoming the promise of life next spring

Really know that in dying they give.

I Wonder

When God searches you and me

Does He find deep in our hearts,

The life messages quietly exemplified

His Handwriting on the mountain sides.

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Question for the Month

Please send your questions and responses to rdkauffman@alltel.net.The question for this month is:

Can someone share ideas for helping my ten year old son stick to his work projects? Thank you.

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The question for last month was:

My three-year-old grandson is having trouble learning to have his bowel movement on the toilet. My daughter is desperate for help. Thank you.

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Answers:

I have to wonder if she has a small training potty? Please try a small potty if you haven't yet. We too had a boy who was deathly scared of the 'flush' of the toilet. I think he was afraid he was going to get water splashed on him or that it might 'get him'! He was also and still is, although not as bad, very self-conscious! I never knew a child so young could be so self-conscious. We decided that we would not push him and left him go for a while. But about 3 weeks after his 3rd. birthday we told him that this was it. He needed to go IN THE POTTY! We allowed him privacy and soon our problem was over. One problem we had was, he didn't want anybody, even us, his parents, to see him go potty! He became potty trained within a week. He will be 4yrs. here in several months and has done very well. His sister who is 16 months younger than him decided she wanted to be go potty too and I think might have been the little helping 'push' he needed! She does pretty good although I have not really pushed her as I probably should have. I let her go at her own pace and there were times that she wouldn't care, but the last while... We can hardly go anywhere without hearing 'I have to go potty' out of her mouth! Seems she can hold it longer than the boys!

But I think too that the child's personality plays a big part in their potty training! Is he a go-getter? or a laid-back? Or one who is mediocre? It is amazing how God made each one with different needs and desires and personalities! So, take your problem to the Lord and pray with your child, make them aware that God can help them and will. Another thing, please don't get frustrated and discouraged IN FRONT OF HIM! I did and I think back on it and realize I might have discouraged him, and caused him to feel like he couldn't do it. Give praise liberally, even when he goes peepee! As well as in other areas of accomplishment, praise is a big motivator! You might also want to work out a reward system? I don't like to reward with candy or treats each time they go in the potty, I feel it defeats the purpose and causes them to think that if they do something now they will always get a treat! We like to make it a long range goal with our children, like a whole day, then a whole week and then a whole month, gradually work it up to longer and longer. So they can see and think that this will affect a lifetime, just not now! They will understand as they get older! I make the treat something useful or lasting, like new underwear or a longed-for-toy. Or maybe we can go out for an ice cream treat! Use your creative imagination and maybe ask him what he might like, so he can join in the planning and make it more exciting to look forward to when he has accomplished THE goal. Don't forget to thank the Lord with your child. Lydia Momma of 3.

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A while ago my 3 year old had an especially hard BM that really hurt. After that he quit telling me when he needed to "sit" and would wait until he had a bit in his shorts. (Yuck!) Then, of course, I would put him on the toilet and tell him to "PUSH!!!" but he was so afraid of it hurting that he would actually sit there and grimace trying to hold it IN. I tell him to relax and then use my own facial expressions of pushing to show him that he needs to PUSH not hold it in...and then if it didn't hurt I'd encourage him in that fact. I don't know if this helps this lady or not... Susan, mother of 5

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Treats From Tots

Please send delightful lines from your children to rdkauffman@alltel.net

My 3 1/2-yr-old daughter Lexi sometimes sings "You're my honeybunch" to her dolls or her baby sister. It ends with "...the apple of my eye". Lexi always sings, "the apple loves my eye." One time lately after she sang it, she assured her doll, "The apple loves your eye too." ---Kay, mom of 2 P.S. That cute little song can be found online at http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/huggies.htm

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Birth Announcements

Congratulations to our new mothers.

Twins!!

André Lane & Alex Trenton

6lbs. 10oz. & 6lbs. 5oz.

19” long

Delighted Parents and Siblings:

Gerald and Cathy Miller

Brendan –7

Kara –5

Tyler –2

 

 

 

Jacob Jonas Hochstetler II

June 24, 2006

7 lbs. 7ozs.

19 1/2 inches

Siblings: Isabella & Alita

Parents: Jake & Mary Hochstetler

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My Books

*The Treasure of Careful Planning: $7.99, sale $7.25.

*Treasures From a Waiting Heart: $9.50, sale $8.75.

*Buy a package of both books for $15.50

Treasures From a Waiting Heart

--Experiencing His Healing Presence

As you follow Donna’s candid story of struggle, failure and self effort, you will identify. As you witness the redemption, healing and freedom that the loving Father abundantly poured out on her repentant heart, you will long. Donna shares the priceless treasures she has gathered at the feet of her loving Father, waiting for His healing and the heart transformation she longed for. Read with your heart, read with a hunger. The Father’s arms are open wide. Hope Byler

Comments

I was blessed by the humanness that came through in your “Waiting Heart” book. How nice to be able to identify and find encouragement for my own spiritual battles. It was a much better feeling than some other books I’ve read where it seems they are “Barbie-doll perfect” on all sides. A Reader

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The Treasure of Careful Planning

This book tells the story of how the Lord met me during a very low time in my early mothering years. The message He unfolded has changed my life from that day until today. You’ll learn to determine your purpose for being on this earth, and numerous ideas on organizing your life in a way that you’ll have more time to accomplish your purpose than you imagined.

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You can order my books at rdkauffman@alltel.net I’ll send an invoice with your order. You may mail a check or money order when you receive the invoice.

Shipping for one book is $1.75 each. In Canada, $2.00. If you purchase more than one book the shipping cost is less per book.

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Until next time. God Bless

Donna Kauffman

4139 Kinsman Road

N. Bloomfield, OH 44450

440-693-4070

rdkauffman@alltel.net

Blog: http://treasuresbooks.blogspot.com/

Website: http://treasuresbooks.bravehost.com

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