Treasures From My Heart to Yours
Free email newsletter reaching over 500 women.
Offering encouragement to mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers
Editor: Donna Kauffman
Author: Treasures From a Mother’s Heart,
The Treasure of Careful Planning--Enjoy the Gift of Organization,
Treasures From a Waiting Heart--Experiencing His Healing Presence
rdkauffman@jmz.net
http://treasuresbooks.blogspot.com/
4123 Kinsman Road
N. Bloomfield, OH 44450
440-693-4070
Volume 4 #2 February 2006
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* I have discontinued my website and started a little blog. You can view the present and a few past newsletters on the blogspot at http://treasuresbooks.blogspot.com/ as well as family pictures and other posts. I’m also uploading short devotionals periodically.Smile Awhile
A merry heart does good like medicine.
But a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
Bob and I have enjoyed closeness over the years, but I have a longing for even more. Just a few days ago we were discussing what we would like to accomplish yet in our possibly thirty plus years left of earthly life. One thing I shared is my deep desire to know even stronger intimacy in our marriage relationship. In my heart I know there is so much available to us in this area. I long to grasp more of it. The older I get, though, the more I sense we'll never gain all the closeness obtainable to us, no matter how long we‘re married. Love is infinite and intimacy goes on and on. So, we continue to grow, deepening our love and respect for each other.
As a woman, the Father's calls us to come along side our husband as his helper. I n today's world of individuality and self-ism women tend to react to this beautiful plan of God. I'd like to call us away from the world's view back to the Word of God. In obeying this call our hearts are filled with joy. Our lives feel complete and satisfied.
I've found over the years one simple act that enables me greater enjoyment in this role of my husband's helper--a pleasing smile. If you’re not in the habit of smiling at your husband you will likely find it awkward the first time you do it. I want to bless you with the desire to do it anyway, to practice it daily and several times each day until it feels awkward if you don’t smile.
When you wake up in the morning give your husband that warm gift of your beautiful smile. As you sit down for breakfast share another smile from across the table. As he leaves for work pass another bright smile with a few blessing words. "I love you, Honey. I'll pray for you today." Or take a minute to hold his hands in yours and offer a ten word prayer for Him. Close it with a smile as you look into his eyes. As your husband returns from his long day at work you have another opportunity to grace him with strength from yet another beaming smile. If your hands are busy or too full to get to the door to greet him, call to him with a smile in your voice. "Honey, I'll be coming, HOW was your day?"
Consider the friends you're attracted to. Is it those whose faces are twisted and turned with sorrow and complaints? I believe you'll agree that you delight in friends who are bright with smiles, laughter and love.
Our husbands are much like us in this area. They are attracted to a brightly lit face. He will come alive under a gentle, smiling face.
My spirit rubs off on Bob's. When I'm grumbling and critical to or about him, he responds that way to me. Well, it's rare for him to criticize me, but I sense a coldness from him when I’m cold, and possibly a fear as he wonders what my actions and reactions might be. So he relates to me as I relate to him. When I instead respond with warmth, acceptance and loving smiles, Bob responds back in the same way. He speaks tenderly. He smiles and delights in me.
The Word of God calls women to honor, submit and reverence their husband. It says nothing about honoring him only if he deserves it. In fact, I think you’ll find if you begin to love your husband with a smiling face, heart and voice he’ll desire to work at deserving it. It’s February, lover’s month, how about enjoying the gift of smiling awhile?
Your Friend,
Donna
Proverbs 31:26
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From the scriptures
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.
Song of Solomon 8:7
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Valentine’s Day Specials on
My Books
*The Treasure of Careful Planning: Regular price $7.99, Sale price $7.25, four or more $7.00 each.
*Treasures From a Waiting Heart: Regular price $9.50, Sale price $8.75, four or more $8.50 each.
Purchase a package
of both books for $15.00.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
Your waiting book has so touched my heart. I keep it right with my Bible and on my low days I flip to some of the verses you have outlined in it. The Father meets me and fills me.
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I want to tell you how much your book Treasures From a Waiting Heart has ministered to me. I can see myself in so much of your experience. I read and reread parts of it. Thank you for sharing your heart so openly.
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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@jmz.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 $1.50 each. In Canada, $1.75. If you purchase more than one book the shipping cost is less per book.
Comments
I read your book on Planning in one night. I am a fairly organized person. I am not sure it is in my nature, but after being at home for a while with my children and especially once we started home schooling, I learned that planning and organization were necessities!
I gleaned a great deal from the book! I have a daily planner notebook that I sort of use.. but not well! I worked outside the home for many years (before our 2nd child was born) until I listened to the Lord's call for me to be home. In the workplace I lived by my Day Runner, but I have never been able to translate it for the home. Your book helped me do just that! Mine is not like yours in all ways. I definitely geared it to my life. There is a section for book lists, books to look for at the library and books to buy. I am an avid reader and friends are always giving me book suggestions! There is also a section for quilting projects, to keep pieces of fabric I am using and need coordinating fabrics to go with… things like that.
I have a prayer notebook that I use already, so I have chosen to keep that separate. But I did adapt some of your ideas for "scheduling" when to pray for certain "categories". I have done this before and really needed to get back to this. My prayer list is so very long and I would gladly spend all day in intercession if the Lord called me to do so, but right now I need time to care for my family also.
I did include a place in my planner for prayer needs that need "more" prayer. Like a friend who is battling cancer, a friend caring for 2 elderly parents in failing health who is feeling tired and worn down. This list is for me to use while I wait. I hate to wait! This will make good use of my time at the orthodontist and such. Thank you for your books and newsletter. They are blessings.
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Poem
Please send your poetry to rdkauffman@jmz.net.
Love
Danette, mother of 3
I Cor. 13 (paraphrased)
If I
Always have a spotless, organized,
Beautifully decorated house and
If I
Make yummy meals on time and
If I
Have the cleanest baby in the world and
If my children’s faces are always clean
And their hair combed and
If I
Have no Love -
I AM NOTHING.
And If I
Am always scrubbing and doing profitable projects and
If I
Do a lot of nice things for others and
If I
Have no Love –
I GAIN NOTHING
Of eternal value.
Love Is-
Patient and kind.
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrong.
It does not envy,
It is not rude,
It is not self seeking,
It is not proud,
It does not boast.
It
Always protects,
Always trusts,
Always hopes,
Always perseveres.
Love Never Fails.
Faith, Hope, Love-
The greatest of these isLove.
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From the Recipe Box
Chicken and Mushrooms Dijon
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 ½ c. broccoi flowerets
1 ½ c. slices mushrooms
1 c. cream of chicken soup
1 can broccoli cheese soup
2 T. Dijon style mustard
½ c. milk
In skillet, in 1 T. hot margarine, cook chicken 10 minutes or unti browned. Remove. Add an additional 1 T. margarine, cook broccoli and mushrooms until tender and liquid is evaporated; stir often. Add soup, milk and mustard. Heat to boiling. Return chicken to skillet. Cover; and cook over low heat 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink; stir often. Serve with noodles or rice. You can also take the same recipe and bake in oven at 350* for 40 minutes. Serves 4.
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Question for the Month
Please send your questions and responses to
rdkauffman@jmz.net.The questions for this month are:
I've put on at least 30 pounds since I got married and have tried diets, but failed... not that the diets wouldn't have worked, I lacked the will power to stay on them. I always want results NOW, so I try something drastic. But that obviously isn't working. It bothers me that I'm no longer the slim attractive girl my husband married years ago, although he doesn't let on if it bothers him. Anyway, I'm asking for success stories on what you ladies have done for fighting "the battle of the bulge". It's summer, and I can't hide behind my sweaters anymore.
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The questions for last month are:
My 10 yr. old is very concerned about someone else getting the better end of a deal. It bothers him terribly if his older brother gets to do something and he doesn't because he's not old enough, or if someone else gets a privilege that he doesn't get at the same time. I've explained that the older brother has more work to do because of age also. This is an ongoing problem. Any solutions?? Donna mother of 4
Would anyone have suggestions for this mother?
I’m about out of questions, actually. Please send any that you might like answered. Donna
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Treats From Tots
Please send delightful lines from your children to
rdkauffman@jmz.net.When my son, Chadwinn, showed an unusual interest in birds for a 20 month old, I started naming them to him. At 23 months he can now name most of the birds that come to our feeders. Except the titmouse which he classes with the chickadee. I have been working on this ~ explaining the difference, etc.
Then the other day we saw a titmouse and I asked, "Now ,what is that?" He thought a little then announced proudly, " A mousey chickadee" !! Hannah ~ Mommy of one
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The realization that technology has reached our children was shown to me several years ago as I overheard our children at play...
Jewel said, "Ring..ring...Lynnae, I'm calling you."
To which Lynnae replied, "I'm not at home!"
The answer was swift in coming, "Well, answer on your cell phone!"
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I was baby-sitting for the five year old neighbor girl the other day. While I was ironing, she wanted me to help her sing the songs she sings in Sunday school. I wasn't sure if I would be familiar with all the songs, but I needn't have worried as we sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "The Wiseman Built His House Upon the Rock", but when we got to "Deep and Wide" I couldn't help but smile when she sang these words: "There's a mountain floating deep and wide ... "
Blessings to you for all the time and effort you spend in encouraging women like me!
Janet (mom of 4)
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Last night, I was making biscuits for supper and my 3-yr-old daughter was 'helping'. We measured the flour and dumped it in, then next was the baking soda. I went to the drawer to get a measuring spoon. While I had my back turned, she was brightly saying, "We could just do it like this!" I looked to see what her good idea was and she had the baking soda box upside-down, shaking it into the flour! We started over with the biscuits! Kay, mom of 1
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Missionary Wives Prayer Line
Rachel Hershberger is serving with her husband Ryan Hershberger
in La Palmerita, Nicaruga.
She has two little boys.
1. That I would continue to cultivate a deeper and richer relationship w/ the Lord.
2. That I would faithfully and cheerfully apply myself to my duties as missionary wife, mother, teacher, etc.
3. That I would help to maintain good relationships with the staff here.
4. Pray for continued spiritual growth in the new converts and the people we work with in Nicaragua.
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Birth Announcements
Congratulations to our new mothers.
Christian Thane Kauffman
December 15, 2005
8 lbs. 6 oz. ~ 21"
Sheldon & Joann Kauffman
Siblings: Annie (4) Sara (2)
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Name: Ravi Stewart
Weight: 9 lbs
Length: 20 inches
Birth date: January 14, 2006
Delighted Parents: Jason & Gloria Croutch
Excited Siblings: Cody, Jessenia & Jace
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Comments from Newsletter Readers
I got your newsletter right in the middle of cooking up some chicken bones so I thought I'd try the Cheesy Chicken Chowder since I was already half way there. It was great (had to make it quite a bit bigger to feed us but wanted to tell you that everyone loved it! must be the cheese. Lani
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Until next time. God Bless
Donna Kauffman
4123 Kinsman Road
N. Bloomfield, OH 44450
440-693-4070
rdkauffman@jmz.net.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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