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He Gives

He gives me just the promise that I need. Whate’er I face, He’s there, each thought He reads.

He gives me just the strength to face the task; Sometimes He even gives before I ask.

He gives me sweetest solace when in prayer. Each burden like on eagle wings to bear.

He gives me courage when all seems so wrong, In spite of it to go on with a song.

He gives me sweet forgiveness when I fail; And grace, the water from my ship to bail. He gives me mercy – greatest debt I owe,

That precious blood that from His wounds did flow. He gives His wisdom in each weighty care, And teaches me His yoke to meekly bear. He gives His guidance to me every hour; And promises to keep me by His power.

He gives! He gives! What can I give Him now? A broken, yielded heart – I’ll humbly bow.

-Keturah Weaver

Mother to Mother

September 2017

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Please direct all correspondence to:

Glenn & Mary Beth Martin

595 Skyline Trail, Chester, MA 01011

Phone: (413) 354-7860

Fax: (413) 354-1944

email: contact@mother-to-mother.org

Hello, friends… Priority

Today you filled with talk and work,

and not with seeking after One who formed you out of dust and love and light and laughter.

No supplication lifted up? No morning mercy tasted?

No singing spilled from supper’s cup? Count the whole day wasted.

-Sheila Petre

This poem is a challenge to me! I have been enjoying new

poems such as this one on a daily basis recently, thanks to a new

inspirational calendar, Silver Censers. Compiled by Darletta Martin, it

contains poems by Anabaptist writers for every day of the year and

each page has a lovely full-color photograph. If you’re interested,

order from Darletta at 11508 White Hall Road, Smithsburg, MD 21783.

Phone 301-791-6260; email dgdfmartin@emypeople.net.

Do you ever feel like all the summer work climaxes in August

and September? And I suppose it does – after all, the whole point of

planting, weeding and sweating over the garden so diligently is the

harvest. We have been blessed with a summer of much rain in contrast

to last year’s dryness, and the garden’s yield reflects that, for the most

part. It is so rewarding! We had a “corn day” recently with four other

families and processed 100 dozen. Doing it with others takes the

drudgery out of a messy job and makes it enjoyable for everyone!

As I write this, school is a few days away from starting for our

children. The summer has flown by! We have had many ordinary days

and some special ones and have had a good vacation.

God bless and keep you and yours through these busy days!

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You Ask, You Answer…

⇨ Our children like to go visiting or have guests over on Sundays, but

sometimes they need to be content when it is just us! Outdoor

activities they enjoy are ball games, dare base, biking, or just taking

a walk. They also like to play Lemonade, Mother May I? and table

games like Memory, Connect Four, and Scrabble. Even a first grader

can help with word games, and it is good practice for them. Little

ones enjoy watching, or playing their own version of the game.

Sunday is also a good chance to read stories to the children. If they

get bored, put them to work. They can help prepare supper or a

snack of popcorn and lemonade. -Missouri

⇨ Here are some ideas for enjoyable activities…

1. Take a family bike ride, with the baby riding in a carrier on Dad’s

bike.

2. Wade in the creek.

3. Fly kites

4. Hike to a waterfalls.

5. Take a leisurely drive to view the blooming flowers, beautiful

crops, autumn leaves, or an eagle’s nest.

6. Sledding or skating in winter.

7. Visit and sing for the widow who can’t get out to church.

8. If Dad needs a nap or wants to read, Mom and the little ones

can make cards and the older ones can write letters. -Pennsylvania

⇨ Sunday afternoons in our household are a time when Mom would

really like a good solid nap! But what can the children do? It might

take a firm hand to make sure things stay calm and quiet so those

who need naps can take them.

The others can put a puzzle together. Make cards or write

letters. Paint by number. I got a 1,000 dot-to-dot book that is fun and

takes awhile, especially for the younger ones, so that occupies

them. Someone could read a book aloud to the others. Or read one

quietly alone. Take a bike ride together. We enjoy taking a walk as a

family. Play games – indoor table games or outdoor games such as

croquet. We have found this to be very good; it teaches the

children how to lose and win graciously. Visit neighbors and elderly

people in the community; it’s a good time to reach out! -Texas

Question : What are some enjoyable Sunday activities for the whole

family, especially younger children?

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⇨ We enjoy yard blitz – make Dutch Blitz cards on standard sheets of

construction paper, using a wide permanent marker. Young children

love to be the runners and as long as they know their colors and the

numbers from 1-10, they can help! -Illinois

⇨ Here are some recipes I enjoy using:

Laundry Soap

3 gallons hot water

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

2 cups liquid castile soap

40 drops essential oil

In half the hot water, dissolve borax. Add washing soda. When

dissolved, add castile soap and remaining water. Stir in essential oil.

Use ½ - 1 cup per load of wash.

Foaming Hand Soap

2 Tbsp. liquid castile soap

1 tsp. fractionated coconut oil

(optional)

10 drops essential oil

Put all in foam pump hand soap bottle. Add water to fill. Or

use scented castile soap and fill with water.

Body Wash

½ cup coconut milk

2/3 cup liquid castile soap

3 tsp. Vitamin E oil

5 drops essential oil

2 tsp. vegetable glycerin

Put all in a plastic squirt bottle. Shake before using. Note: May

use any skin-friendly oil instead of Vitamin E oil. Caution: This will sting if

you get in your eyes. -Pennsylvania

“Peace is not necessarily the absence of noise, trouble, or

hard labor. True peace is finding serenity in the midst of all those

annoyances and still being able to stay calm at heart.”

Question : Does anyone have tried and proven goat’s milk soap and

lotion recipes to share? I am interested in hand soap, shampoo, dish

soap, and laundry soap recipes of all kinds – not limited to those made

with goat’s milk.

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⇨ Change your choice of deodorant. Someone told me if it’s all-

natural, it will wash out. I personally haven’t tried “all kinds,” but

antiperspirants and those containing talc are worse. I can tell you

that it does make a difference with the crystal deodorant stone,

since we don’t have the problem anymore. My husband prefers the

crystal deodorant stone over rub-on sticks, so it was an easy switch.

If you prefer a scented kind, but can’t seem to stay on top of odors,

make sure it includes tea tree oil. It may take a few weeks to see

results because the skin pores will need to get rid of the bacteria

and the dead cells. -Illinois

⇨ I have found that it helps to put liquid Tide or Wisk directly on the

stain and scrub a little. I don’t add more soap to that load of

laundry then. It helps to use a more expensive laundry soap all the

time. Do you have a high-efficiency washer? While they save on

soap and water, sometimes it takes more scrubbing and soaking

before washing to really get some things clean. -Michigan

⇨ Try Oxi-Clean laundry booster powder. I've mixed a few tablespoons

of this with baby laundry soap (the amount I'd use for a regular

load) in a bucket. Add the soiled clothes and water to cover. Stir

until soaps are dissolved, and allow to soak for several days.

I've been amazed at the wonders this method had on my

baby boy's clothes. When I pulled them out of storage (where they'd

been for nearly four years) to use for our third son, I sighed. They

looked so ugly! But after a good soak in this solution (and hanging in

the sunshine for a day or so for the toughest stains), they really

looked quite fine.

This is also what I've been doing for stubborn stains from

"diaper explosions" and it works quite well. I keep a bucket of

solution mixed to throw the soiled clothing into, and when I'm ready

to wash baby clothes the whole bucketful goes into the washer. I

think that others have told me that anything from Oxi-Clean brand is

good, but I've stuck with the powder so far. -Vermont

Question : Does anyone have a good cleaner or tips to take out the

orange stains that appear on stored baby clothes?

Question : Has anyone found a way to keep white undershirts from

getting stiff and yellow at the armpit or how to return it to its original

soft and white material?

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⇨ Pour enough lemon juice to moisten the spot and salt it well. Scrub

the salt in with a toothbrush and apply more salt. Place in full

sunlight. This takes care of most yellow spots. One warning is that the

lemon juice can discolor some things. -Indiana

⇨ Goop hand cleaner, found in the automotive section at Wal-Mart,

works well. Rub well on spots in dry clothing. Do not mix with water or

make clothing wet. Let set twenty minutes and put through the

washer. It is even more effective to use on spit-up spots and diaper

messes after they happen, and there are almost no yellow spots

when they come out of storage! You could try other oil-based

cleaners as well. Another one is Awesome, from Dollar General, but

doesn’t always work as well. -Illinois

⇨ I have found Shout and sunshine takes the orange stains out of

stored baby clothes. I can usually still wear them for Sunday. -Ohio

⇨ I have had good success with removing tough stains from baby

clothes and more with this:

1 scoop Oxi-Clean

1 scoop Liquid Clorox 2 (color-safe bleach)

1 scoop Cascade dishwasher powder

Fill your basin or pail with warm water. Then add the three

soaps. Give it a swirl to mix until powders dissolve and bubbles form.

Place the stained garments into the mixture, being sure the

stain is submerged. Soak at least two hours. For tough stains, let it soak

overnight. Wring out and launder as usual. This formula is color-safe. -Wisconsin

⇨ I like to use this recipe for removing stains from baby clothes:

1 gallon hot water; pour in a plastic pail

½ cup automatic dishwasher soap

½ cup bleach

½ cup laundry soap (without ammonia)

Stir until dissolved. Let soak thirty minutes or overnight. Launder

as usual. Hang out in the sunshine, if possible. That sometimes helps the

stubborn stains. -Michigan

⇨ I put Clorox 2 stain remover/color booster directly on the stain and

let it set overnight. Then launder with baby soap. I have been very

pleased with the results. -Kentucky

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New Questions… 1. Any tips for relating to our ten-year-old daughter who always

wants to be first, thinks she’s always right, finds it hard to

accept her ideas are not the only right ones, and depends on

others to follow the Golden Rule so she doesn’t need to?

2. Any ideas how to remove pet odors from a used vehicle we

recently purchased? I’ve tried scrubbing the seats and carpet

with Resolve Pet Expert Spray and letting the windows open on

nice days, but we’re not having success.

3. What are the pros and cons of wearing bloomers on your

daughters? What is the age span your daughters wear them?

Are they simply for “cute” or do they serve some practical

purpose?

4. My Anchor glass measuring cups are wonderful – except the

red markings are worn off. Why? (I do put them in my

dishwasher.)

5. I would be interested in hearing from those who have tried the

GAPS diet by Natasha Campbell-McBride or the Nourishing

Traditions way by Sally Fallon. I am struggling with health issues

and someone recommended that. What is your opinion and

did it help? Where do you get the needed products?

Editor’s note: The answers we receive to this last question will

not be printed in the next issue. To receive these answers by

email, send an email request. Or to receive them by snail

mail, send a self-addressed stamped envelope. Address info

is on page 2. Also, for the one who submitted this question,

please request it, too, as we mislaid your contact info ☹.

Please respond with answers by October 15, 2017.

Got more questions? Send them in!

Page 8

Fox Tales …

I’ve Fallen into a Box (and can’t get out) by Florence Fox

The box I fell into is very large—which is a good thing, because I

am, too—and I don’t know an easy way out. Not a single component of

this box is wrong or bad, but the largeness has swallowed me whole and

gasping.

Life seemed normal six months ago when we looked forward to

our new baby this summer and the property improvements we hoped to

make as we had time. Maybe even a camping trip or two, if possible. Such

ordinary, exciting family life.

The first confining walls were framed when we learned about a

property for sale seventeen miles south of us. We’d talked of moving to a

bigger property for the last two years and guessed we would for several

more, because finding a place that suited our criteria seemed remote and

unlikely. But this property more than fulfilled our dreams of more land and a

larger house, with the added benefit of being in the best-liked area of our

church community.

When our offer on the property was

accepted, I threw myself into the work of

emptying the attic, packing the canning jars,

and wrapping the china. Life was busy, but

do-able. I even joked to my friends that I

knew of a way to make nine months go fast—

some days I was almost too busy to

remember our baby—but the same fact

worried me. How tragic to be too busy to

anticipate something so important.

Weeks in advance, Marlin emptied out the storage shed and

shop, loading everything but the largest pieces. Several times I wondered

why, when we still had more than a month till our moving date.

It was a relief that Marlin’s work was done, though, when he was

asked to join a mission trip to Italy less than two weeks before our moving

date. He was free to leave while I continued to empty drawers and fill

boxes.

We got possession of our new place on a Thursday, and early

Monday morning the children and I said good-bye to Marlin at the airport.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to sit at home and miss our favorite person; we

packed in earnest and trekked to the new house almost daily to haul

boxes or clean dusty corners.

Ten days later, on a Wednesday morning, the children and I drove

to the airport again to pick up Marlin. We sat in the area next to the

baggage claim, scanning the crowd of travelers, and suddenly, there he

was, arms open, welcoming Colton and Jacia who’d taken off running for

him at their first glimpse.

Page 9

Before we could possibly catch up, Marlin left for a church

meeting that evening, and the next morning he went early to work for a

shop meeting.

That afternoon Marlin drove a loaded box truck to the new house,

and we spent the evening unloading it. That meant one more day before

our final moving day on Saturday. My friend Mari and I spent all of Friday

packing up the last household items and loading them into the van or the

pickup and trailer.

And then it was supper time, and Mari went home. Marlin and the

boys rode in the pickup, and I drove the van. Kenzie sat across from me,

her lap filled with a pin board and tote lid piled with miscellanies, and

Jacia sat in her car seat behind Kenzie, kicking a picture board and trash

can and lamp.

The van was loaded to the roof, and I wondered if we could ever

get everything unloaded. Besides that, I must scrounge up supper the

minute we got to the new house. I sent a panicked text to Marlin. “Go

through the drive-through,” Marlin texted back. “That will be one less thing

for you to take care of.”

“I don’t know if I should laugh or cry,” I said to Kenzie as we drove

on Interstate 10 toward Clare for the last time. “Everything is a mess, and I

am exhausted.”

“It’s not that bad, Mom,” Kenzie said. “See, you’re laughing now.”

“When you’re an old lady,” I said, “you will tell your grandchildren

that you remember moving from your house in the woods when you were

seven, and that it was a lot of work.”

Kenzie shifted the load on her lap. “No, when I’m an old lady I’ll

say ‘my knees hurt’ because they’re getting squished now.” We laughed

together at the idea of Kenzie being an old lady, inflicted with sore knees

from moving.

Usually my life consists of boxes easily defined and lived out: wife-

to-my-best-friend, mom-of-four-and-expecting-fifth, supervisor-of-small-

vacuuming-crew, writer-of-family-adventures, and baker-of-coffeecakes.

The large box I’m living in now is scrawled with the labels “Chaos

From Moving” and “A Short Time To Prepare For Baby” and “Trying To

Catch Up From Marlin’s Absence.” A combination that takes courage,

needed in abundance when coping with a two-year-old who can’t stand

to be out of my sight, overseeing the painter invading our living space, or

pointing the repairman to our non-drying dryer, all within the first days of

moving.

Weeds in the flowerbeds might be threatening to block our

second-story windows, and garden beds wait, unplanted, while I run from

unpacking boxes to washing windows to hanging curtains. So much

unfinished work waits for me, and as I move from one job to the next, I

remember the words on the side of the box that give me hope, printed in

clear simple script: “Handle With Prayer.”

In June, Florence moved with her family from the shade and tranquility of the

Northwoods to the sunny open fields near Rosebush. Four-and-a-half weeks

later, on July 7, they were overjoyed to welcome little Brinton Ross, “the

sweetest, most huggable baby ever.”

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Food for Thought…

Food for Fun by Regina Rosenberry

Edible Flower Arrangement

Cut a ¼” carrot slice. Use the tip of

a paring knife to cut two wedges

from a carrot slice to make a tulip.

Cut a ¼ inch cucumber slice. Cut

the cucumber slice in half. Using

the knife, cut a half moon shape

out of the half slice. This is your leaf.

Slide a toothpick up and through the underside

of the cucumber leaf. Push the point of the

toothpick into the bottom of the carrot tulip.

You've just created a veggie flower! Purchase a miniature

flower pot at a craft store. Spoon a dollop of dip in the bottom of the

pot. Add a broccoli and cauliflower floret. Put your carrot flower in the

middle for an edible flower arrangement that will thrill any girl!

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Veggie Bouquet

Cut several radish slices about ¾”

thick. Use the point of a paring

knife to cut wedges out of the

radish to make a flower design.

Make cucumber leaves and put

together using a toothpick. Cut a

2-3 inch long cucumber piece.

Slice off the bottom of the

cucumber to make it flat. Stick the

veggie flowers into the cucumber

slice and add parsley or herbs

around the base.

Cut a variety of flower shapes from

different vegetable rounds. Add a

few cucumber leaves and broccoli

florets. Arrange in a container and

cover tightly with plastic wrap for a

fun lunch box surprise!

___________________________________________________________________

Leaving behind the scent of honeysuckles and mimosa, exchanging

them for the smell of crisp leaves, pumpkin latte, and a Macintosh candle... for

Regina Rosenberry, fall is a glorious season in Pennsylvania, but not her favorite.

She knows it means winter is coming. But still, she thrills in that crisp air and

enjoys a vigorous hike to admire the colored leaves and patchwork view with

her husband Darwin and six children. She'd love to hear from you at

regina.rosenberry@gmail.com

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Across My

Kitchen Table… Need something to beat the last

of summer’s heat? Try some of these

refreshing recipes featuring ice

cream!

For next time… send recipes for

cookies and bars/squares that are

lunchbox-friendly. Send them by

October 15, 2017.

Oreo Ice Cream Dessert 1 cup Crisco

1½ cups sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1¼ cups flour

½ cup cocoa

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

Cream together Crisco and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and

beat. Blend in dry ingredients and mix well. Divide into two 9x13-inch

pans and bake at 350° for 16-17 minutes. Cool and freeze.

To prepare dessert, spread a ½-inch layer of vanilla ice cream

on top of brownies. I like to buy ice cream in boxes for this recipe.

Open the whole box and slice the ice cream for easy layering.

Cover ice cream with a layer of crushed Oreo cookies.

Liberally drizzle caramel sauce over cookie crumbs and cover with

another layer of vanilla ice cream. Top with Cool Whip and more Oreo

cookie crumbs. Freeze. Place in refrigerator to thaw a bit before

serving.

Caramel Sauce

1 cup corn syrup or molasses

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. butter

½ cup milk

Cook all ingredients together for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Bethany Burkholder, IL

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Dairy Queen Ice Cream #1 3 Tbsp. plain gelatin

¾ cup cold water

10 cups milk

3 cups sugar

3 tsp. vanilla

1½ tsp. salt

2 cups cream

Soak gelatin in water. Heat, but do not boil, 3 cups of the milk.

Add gelatin mixture and stir until dissolved. Add sugar and mix until

dissolved.

Remove from heat and pour remaining milk into heated

mixture. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Place in refrigerator and

chill several hours until thickened.

Flavors may be varied. Freeze in an ice cream freezer. Yields 6

quarts. So good!

Rhonda Martin, PA

Dairy Queen Ice Cream #2 1½ Tbsp. unflavored gelatin

½ cup cold water

7½ cups unpasteurized milk

6 tsp. vanilla

2 cups white sugar or

1 cup sugar and 1 tsp. stevia

1 tsp. salt

1 quart heavy whipping cream

Soak gelatin in cold water. Heat milk. Remove from heat and

add gelatin; stir until dissolved. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt; mix well.

Cool in refrigerator. Add cream, then freeze in an ice cream freezer

according to manufacturer’s instructions. Enjoy with fresh fruit in

season.

Rachel Zimmerman, PA

Ice Cream Pie ½ cup peanut butter

½ cup corn syrup or honey

3 cups Rice Krispies

Melt together peanut butter and corn syrup. Add Rice Krispies.

Pat into a pie plate or put into a 9x13-inch pan.

Thaw 1 quart vanilla ice cream (or any flavor you desire) until

partially soft. You may beat it with a mixer and add Cool Whip and

candy or cookie bits or just put it right into the crust.

Eat plain or top with peanuts and chocolate syrup. Delicious

served with strawberry Danish and so simple!

Regina Gehman, PA

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Chocolate Ice Cream ½ cup cocoa

1 cup water

6 cups milk

1½ cups white sugar

16 egg yolks

(about 1¼ cups)

Mix cocoa and water and heat a little, then add milk.

In another bowl, mix egg yolks and sugar; beat with a spoon

for a few minutes. Slowly add some of the hot milk to yolk mixture. Then

return all to the kettle. Cook and keep stirring till it thickens a little (like

cream). Do not boil. Allow to cool for several hours. Put in ice cream

maker.

Variation: Use almond, coconut, or rice milk for a dairy-free ice

cream.

Note: This recipe contains no cream, but needs the egg yolks

for creaminess. Use the egg whites to make an angel food cake to go

with your ice cream!

Edna Brubaker, PA

Ice Cream Cake

6 eggs, separated

2 cups sugar, divided

2/3 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup cocoa

1 1/3 cups flour

Beat egg whites until foamy. Slowly add 1 cup sugar and beat

until stiff. Set aside.

Beat egg yolks three minutes; add remaining 1 cup sugar and

beat two minutes longer. Beat in remaining ingredients. Last, fold in

stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into two greased 9x13-inch pans.

Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes. Cool, then top with ½-inch thick

slabs of vanilla ice cream and a thin layer of crushed Oreo cookies.

Then top with peanut butter topping:

Peanut Butter Topping

2 cups peanut butter

½ cup butter

1 cup milk

2 cups 10x sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Melt ingredients together. Heat slowly until at the boiling point.

Cool and spread on the cake. Top with Cool Whip.

This is our favorite ice cream cake. It is simpler to make than it

looks!

Candace Steiner, OH

Page 15

Frozen Grasshopper Torte 4 cups crushed Oreo cookies ¼ cup melted butter

Combine and press into a 9x13-inch pan, reserving ¼ cup

crumbs. Chill.

1-2 quarts vanilla ice cream

¼ cup milk

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow

crème

½ tsp. peppermint extract

Several drops green food

coloring

2 cups Cool Whip

Spread ice cream over chilled crust. Freeze.

Combine milk and marshmallow crème, blending well. Add

peppermint extract and food coloring. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread over

ice cream and sprinkle with reserve crumbs. Freeze.

Rachel Torkelson, MD

Lemonade Dessert 1½ cups flour

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup cold butter

¾ cup chopped pecans

½ gallon vanilla ice cream

1 can (12 oz.) frozen pink

lemonade concentrate

In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter

until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Spread in a single layer in a greased

10x15-inch baking pan. Bake at 375° for 9-12 minutes or until golden

brown, stirring once. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, beat ice cream and thawed

lemonade concentrate until blended. Sprinkle half of the crumbles into

a 9x13-inch pan. Spread with ice cream mixture; sprinkle with

remaining crumbles.

Cover and freeze overnight.

Rachel Torkelson, MD

Pineapple Ice Cream 46 oz. can + 2 cups pineapple

juice

2 cans sweetened condensed

milk

1 can crushed pineapple

2 cups 7-Up

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ cup lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together and pour into ice cream canister.

Freeze as directed on ice cream freezer.

Charity Campbell, FL

Page 16

Fishing in My Kitchen by Betsy Frisby

Peter and Andrew had their fishing boats on the sea. Catching

fish was their livelihood, their lives. But the day Jesus walked into their

lives, their eyes were opened to opportunities more noble than

catching fish: fishing for men.

Like the disciples, I hadn’t been paying attention to fishing for

men either, lately. I was engrossed with the cooking, cleaning, and

laundry happening in my kitchen. But my eyes too were opened to the

all-important opportunity of fishing for men even in the kitchen, though

it came in the simplest form.

“Mom, will you tell me story?” my children begged.

Now I do enjoy story time with our children, snuggled into the

softness of the living room couch. But wrist deep in water with no story

book in front of me, my mind was blank.

“Hmmm,” I answered.

“You could just make one up,” came the helpful suggestion.

Creating stories is another thing I enjoy. But the only story I

could think of right now was about the blonde-haired girl who

grumbled and tarried when her mother called her to wash dishes.

Making up such a story on the spur of the moment in a way that would

drive the lesson home effectively, when that girl was the audience,

called for more wisdom than I felt equipped with right then.

But God in His faithfulness penetrated the blankness of my

mind with inspiration. “I will tell you the story about Ruth,” I began.

“Aw, we know that story already!”

Ignoring the comment, I kept on. “There was a famine in the

land and Naomi and her husband had to move to Moab. They had

two sons whose names were Mahlon and Chilion.”

My daughter suddenly glanced up, realizing those names

were not so familiar after all.

As the days passed, I kept reading the story during my

personal devotions, then telling it to my helpers while we washed

dishes.

The story continued to how Ruth, after her husband died,

refused to leave her mother-in-law and ended up back in Israel

gleaning grain in Boaz’ field. It took us on to Samuel and Eli. Then to

how the Philistines took the ark of God into the house of their god

Dagon, causing him to fall over, breaking off his head and hands.

Amazingly, not too many story time sessions had elapsed until

my daughter, instead of saying, “Aw, we know that story,” was saying,

“Mom, how far were we?”

Then came the story about Saul going into battle and

forbidding the people to eat any food until evening that he might win

the victory over his enemies. Everyone except Jonathan heard the

Page 17

king make the oath that whoever ate anything was cursed. The

people came into the woods and discovered dripping honey. When

Jonathan came along, he dipped and tasted of the golden sweetness

and was strengthened.

“Do we really read that in the Bible?” asked my son, still sitting

at the supper table.

“Would I find it in the Bible I’m reading?” my daughter asked

with equal wonder.

My heart was thrilled! I had not traveled to the ends of the

earth to “go and tell,” but the fishing opportunity in my kitchen had

brought a rewarding catch of interest.

Minute Meditations…

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

God is still recruiting forces for not-so-favorite missions; He

seldom needs a waiting list. But He does need willing laborers – even in

tiny tasks.

Wishing to Wash With sleeves rolled up, I squirt some soap,

Inhale its scent. Sure! I can cope

With this assignment. What a view

Outside my window! Water too

Is lovely, warm. A songbook stands;

I’ll sing while bubbles crown my hands!

And meditate – no one is near,

Lest tea towels suddenly appear.

I serve the Father, dish by dish,

As I make washing wares my wish. -Lydia Hess

Page 18

Thank God for Yellow Diapers by Sarah Wagner

He was four days old. He was ours. And he was perfect! All

except that diaper.

A black diaper? I was a new mom and granted, I didn’t know

much about babies. But something didn’t seem right. Wasn’t the

meconium stage past? We had changed one yellow diaper

yesterday…hadn’t we? Or had we? Really, this baby hadn’t needed

much diapering.

Yesterday his spreading jaundice had made the midwife lay

down a law for me – “Feed this baby baby every two hours!”

I tried. You don’t know how hard I tried! But how can you feed

a baby that just sleeps and sleeps? 2:00 AM had been the last

successful feeding…though he never had seemed to latch on right,

from birth. At 4:00 AM he only took a few swallows before falling asleep

again. At 6:00, same story. Maybe he was tired. Maybe he wasn’t

hungry. “Try again later,” my midwife advised.

Now it was 8:00. I would try again, all the tricks I had been

taught. Unwrap the blankets. Unsnap his darling sleeper. Tickle his tiny

wrinkly feet. Wash his face with cold water. Dribble milk on his mouth.

For 45 minutes I tried. Nothing. Nothing. How could he sleep through all

that? And that strange diaper of black mucous!

I sat in the rocking chair, trying to suppress the heavy anxiety

mushrooming in my heart. “Wake up, Baby Dear. You must eat!” I

pleaded.

But he just lay on my lap like a rag doll. As I watched his tiny

face, it paled. His forehead felt cool to my lips.

“Are you okay, Sonny?” I put my hand on his chest, but

couldn’t detect any movement. No faint warm breath when I put my

finger to his nose. Not a sound when I bent to listen.

Baby Dear! I scooted off the rocker to pace the living room,

jiggling him, blowing in his face – anything to make him blink. Or

grimace. Or gasp. Or something!

“Oh God!” My voice felt strangled. “Oh God! Please don’t let

my…baby…die! Please! I want him so much! Oh God!”

Tears fell onto his soft blanket. My newly-born mother heart, still

exhausted from birth and interrupted nights, rose up in a wild surge of

imagination. Blue lips…a wee casket…a tiny grave… “Oh God, don’t

let my baby die!”

I tried to think rationally. Hubby was on the way to work, and

there was no way to reach him. My hired girl wasn’t coming for

another hour.

The midwife! I dialed her number. “The party you are trying to

call is not available….” Oh Lord!

Page 19

Baby fluttered his eyelids, and I squeezed him in relief. He was

still alive! Maybe I was just being ridiculous. Imagining things. His face

blanched again. Maybe not imagining, either.

On the third try, my midwife answered. I tried to sound calm

and casual as I briefly described what was going on.

“Something doesn’t sound right,” Amanda said thoughtfully. “I

think you should take him to the Urgent Care Center and check things

out. Do you have someone you can get to take you?”

So Hubby turned back home, and we started on a nightmarish

merry-go-round that took us first to the Urgent Care Center in town,

where Baby woke to scream in protest at Doctor Crimm’s probing

fingers. Good – he was awake! But he quickly fell back into a coma-

like sleep without eating at all. “Jaundice,” Doctor Crimm said kindly.

“Better run across town for a lab test to check those blood levels.”

But with their permission, we headed for the midwife for her

opinion. Could she take the blood test for us, to cut costs? And could

we just use her bilirubin blanket and lights at home?

“Depends how high his levels are,” she said, unwrapping his

blanket with experienced fingers. “Oh my, he’s yellow clear to his feet!

It would take 24 hours for me to get results from the blood test. I’m

afraid that would be too late.”

“I don’t want to take our baby to the hospital!” I sobbed wildly

on my husband’s shoulder.

But we did. First to the local hospital where they took a blood

test, then in to the big Pinnacle Health hospital in Harrisburg, where

they were equipped for pediatric care. Our deacon kindly offered to

drive us the hour and a half through heavy city traffic. We were so

grateful.

Doctor Crimm had pre-admitted us, so we were swished right

through the Emergency Room entrance to a green-garbed lab team

who was waiting with needles and tubes. And through it all, our dear

little son slept and slept, like tired mamas wish but healthy babies

shouldn’t do.

“His bilirubin levels are 20.6 right now,” the ER doctor told us.

Days later he would add that at levels 20 and above, there is chance

of brain damage and hearing loss.

It was a long, long Thursday. It was 11:00 PM that night before

our little son, now on IV to rehydrate him, was wheeled from the ER to

the pediatric floor and settled under the blue bilirubin lights. It was

almost midnight before the nurses brought pumps and bottles, and for

the first time in more than 20 hours, our baby got some life-giving

nourishment in him. I cried with relief.

For the next few days, we kept a nearly-sleepless vigil over him,

willing him to eat. Every wet pamper got handed over to the nurses,

who carefully weighed and recorded the data. There weren’t many.

And most of them were black.

…Concluded on page 21

Page 20

Mother’s Law and Ornaments by Mary Weber

We as women were created to enjoy pretty things. Did you

know the Bible talks about an ornament we may wear? “My son, hear

the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For

they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about

thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8, 9). These ornaments are not gaudy and

glimmering necklaces to draw attention to oneself, but they are the

instruction of a father and the law of a mother. The ornamental part

implies beauty and attractiveness.

Laws are not normally considered ornamental. But consider

the beautiful effect of law in the following verses: “My son, keep thy

father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind

them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When

thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall talk with thee.

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of

instruction are the way of life. To keep thee from the evil woman, from

the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman” (Proverbs 6:20-24).

Let’s consider some unique ornaments which we as mothers

are privileged to wear. A few of these ideas I credit to a very old

devotional booklet.

One of the first in importance is the ornament of the warm

kitchen. What a welcome for children to come home from school to a

freshly-baked batch of cookies or warm doughnuts. Or your teen

comes in from the cold to enjoy a bowl of hot soup or a steaming mug

of hot chocolate. Or how about the times when the table is laden with

treats ready for the freezer? There seems to be something about

baking aromas that make a family feel loved.

Then there is the ornament of a mother’s perspective. I recall

times when I’d be upset over something I had spilled and Mom would

say, “Don’t worry; it’ll be dry before you’re 21!” Or some other childish

matter would trouble me and I’d hear, “Ten years from now you’ll

have forgotten all about it.” That helped me put things in perspective.

Her listening ear, wisdom, and caring compassion when I was still a

youth are a treasured memory. It was so good to be able to share

heart issues with her, and this left an indelible impression on my life.

Another important ornament is mother’s faith. Though life is full

of trials, disappointments, pressures, and sacrifices, it’s wonderful when

a mother can have an unswerving faith in God’s strength to carry on.

She can sing through her tears while doing dishes. She will remember

to pray for her children by name every day that they will be strong and

keep true.

The law of kindness is another beautiful ornament, given in

Proverbs 31. “In her tongue is the law of kindness.” When I feel the

need to share an opinion about something, it’s good to ask myself,

Page 21

“Are my words coming out as a balm to soothe or as barbs to prick?”

Can I accept people whose opinions are different than mine?

The law of a mother’s kindness is a beautiful memory children

take with them when they leave home. My mother reached out to the

unloved, the down-and-out, and the mentally disabled with kindness.

She would not allow her children to mock the handicapped or others

different or less fortunate. One such individual (who had been born out

of wedlock and was many times mocked by others) wrote a letter

saying how he cried when my mother passed away because she was

like a second mother to him.

What laws are we writing for our children? Will they carry them

on as ornaments? What will they find in our journals or old letters after

we pass from this life? May we look to Christ, as only He can adorn our

lives with these ornaments of love, wisdom, faith, and kindness.

Thank God for Yellow Diapers, continued from page 19…

It was Sunday morning before the first shades of normal yellow

showed up. We were thrilled! We had won the marathon! Tomorrow

we could go home!

It was another ten days before Baby really woke up and

nursed like a hungry boy. It was six more weeks till the yellow jaundice

color left his face.

But now, at seven months, he crawls all over the house,

banging dishpans, chewing on jar brushes, digging in flowerpots. We

love his fuzzy red hair and his seven teeth and his wide grins.

When I hear a juicy gurgle, I smile and say, “Good job, Sonny!”

And in my heart I thank God for lovely diapers to change.

A note from the author:

Recently I heard a young mother sigh over the telltale gurgle

from her tiny son, and say his name in a rebuking tone.

I was taken aback. My instinctive reaction to that in my own

little boy was, “Good job, Sonny!” I am so thankful for every one of

those yellow diapers from the breastfed baby, even if they smell and

stain and are a mess to clean up and sound embarrassing in church!

We never did find a definite reason for the poor suck he had

from day one. The lactation consultant suspected a tied tongue, but

the midwife and surgeon both said it didn’t look worth snipping. A

simple nipple shield worked miracles for me and my baby, and in a

few months he was weaned off that and nursed fine.

My goal in this story is not to instruct on how to prevent and

deal with jaundice, but to challenge mothers to thank God for the

privilege of changing diapers from healthy babies!

Page 22

Tête-à-Tête…

___________________________________________________________________

“Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and

cometh down from the Father…” (James 1:17).

“The Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy

body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground…”

(Deuteronomy 28:11).

“Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the

womb is His reward…” (Psalm 127:3).

“Who are these with thee? And he said, ‘The children which

God hath graciously given thy servant’” (Genesis 33:5).

Are we remembering where our children come from? Is God

pleased with our attitudes toward the children He graciously gives us?

How do our barren friends feel when they hear us talk about “another

child who will be coming along needing to be cared for?” Do we

actually gratefully receive the children God gives us or are we seeing

them as inconveniences we only allow when it suits us?

“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away…” (Job 1:21).

“By Him all things consist (are sustained)…” (Colossians 1:17).

“God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and

opened her womb” (Genesis 30:22).

Of Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:5-6 says, “The Lord had shut up her

womb.” In verse 19 it says, “The Lord remembered her.”

Do we actually get our children by doing what married

people do? Do we realize how much of the big picture we actually

see? Do we understand that the whole picture has always been seen

by our Creator and He knows His plan for us, and how we will

cooperate with it? Are we comfortable with God controlling our lives,

right down to when He wants to bless us with children (open our

womb)?

We are given only a few years to bear children. The rest of life

is filled with nurture and guidance. It is extremely disturbing for a child

to understand that he/she was unwanted. It is even worse in God’s

eyes. Each soul’s eternal worth is priceless in God’s eyes. Since we are

God’s people, we should see them as God does.

“Tête-à-tête” (tāt ə ‘tāt) is a French word

which conveys the idea of a cozy,

friendly chat between two people. I like

the connotation! Please allow us to

include your name unless it truly is a

sensitive issue.

Page 23

The world’s mindset has crept into the church. Satan’s ploy has

always been steal, kill, and destroy. We say we would never have

abortions, but how close do we come in our minds? Doesn’t God

know our very thoughts? What if He actually left us to our own devices

and never gave us any surprises? Isn’t that why He made us all

differently? Isn’t this why God stopped the tower building at Babel?

Isn’t it a slap in the face of God to degrade large families with

closely-spaced children? Doesn’t He provide their needs as well as He

provides ours? Doesn’t God want us to be glad when He gives us

children, whether 2 or 20? Shouldn’t we carefully study our Bibles to

learn how to live in God’s sight?

“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of

the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall

not be ashamed…” (Psalm 127:4-5).

“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus

shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord” (Psalm 128:3-4).

“Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name

receiveth me” (Matthew 18:5).

If we have “burnt out” mothers among us, isn’t it our own

fault? Can’t we lay aside our agendas and help each other? Aren’t

we family in Christ? Or are we too busy giving tips about how we can

slow this down? Are moms “burnt out” because we aren’t rejoicing

with them over their precious gifts from God? Do we make them feel

guilty, irresponsible, or inferior?

I would encourage you to read The Family – God’s Weapon

for Victory by Robert Andrews and Be Fruitful and Multiply by Nancy

Campbell.

Susan G. Nolt, NY

Since I learned to put a teaspoon or so of water (some say to

use a tablespoon) on top of pie filling, applesauce, and other thick

foods, I no longer deal with jars opening or mold spots on top under

the lid.

This extra water on top of the food before placing the lid and

ring on gives adequate moisture to seal properly.

I’m sorry I didn’t write this answer earlier so folks could use it this

canning season! I just supposed this is how many women do it since it’s

a common thing here, and that you’d get many answers.

Louisa Hoover, WI

Page 24

The Harvest

What though I stop a dozen times a day To dress the same doll in the same blue hat, Or move my favorite lamp, rescue the cat, Or find some plaything that has gone astray. What though the walls I washed so clean and white But yesterday, show tiny tales today Of little fingers reaching in their play To touch a picture or turn on a light. The days roll into months, the months to years, And ere we know it we shall wish in vain For precious days of childhood once again; But though we search for them in earnest tears, Our children will be gone; ‘twill be too late To mend their broken toys or dry their eyes Or pull their hungry fingers from the pies Or run to meet them at the garden gate. Teach me, O God, to know from day to day That all the floors I sweep, the clothes I mend, Cannot compare with that sweet time I spend Teaching my little ones to praise and pray; That when I face Thee and my fruit I bring, And Thou dost ask me where my soul did glean, I may not have a little house swept clean To be alone, my lifetime offering; But may I have the children Thou didst loan, And may I know that they have lived for Thee Because they saw Thy love and grace through me And learned to trust my Savior as their own.

-Author unknown