Have a Blessed Christmas

Christmas Cards

“May your Christmas be filled with Joy & Gratitude because of all that Christ has given you.”

I have fond memories of those precious days when my family, by all standards a poor one, could buy Christmas cards "dirt" cheap and mail them for only a few pennies. We sent out and received so many that the postman would come twice a day during that final week before Christmas. I remember as a child having cards on all the doors, across the walls, on furniture, wherever we could find. We needed little to make us happy as children. I wish the same could be true of the children today.

Teaching children to be happy with the small things of life will be one of those "treasures" you can give them that will reap bountifully in their adult life. 

Lovingly,

Nanna Maxine

Happy Thanksgiving!!

O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Psalm 136:1

Waiting for Spring

Spring is coming, you can be sure. The Lord promised the seasons would continue to cycle. Speaking of cycles. This picture not only promises the coming of spring but introduces yet another cycle of the Bright Gems prayers at the Facebook page. Because of time constraintsm I do more posting there than anywhere else, so please make sure you follow us there if you haven't yet. Link to that page is over on the left. Keep trusting, this winter will be over by and by.

Lovingly,
Nanna Maxine

Hello, December!

Well, here we go. We all know what December brings and what it's like. Mainly for us and the point of this post is to mention that we've started the cycle of Bright Gems prayers again at the Facebook page. This time, for the winter months, we have this cute snowman hiding behind the prayers. I hope folks will join in with us in praying for our children and grandchildren. God bless you this month and always.

Blessings,
Nanna Maxine

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello October

Have a blessed day and month.

Hello, Spring

She's celebrating the arrival of Spring. Are you at your house? We have much to be thankful for, as always, and one of those things is for keeping us through a very bitter and harsh winter. But then doesn't that make us appreciate this wonderful season of flowers and bird singing all the more?

I think this is a lovely painting by Frederick Morgan (1856-1927), don't you? Many blessings to you at your home and may you and your children appreciate all of God's gifts.

Love God Completely

"The prerequisite for teaching your children about God successfully is that you love God completely. ~ Elizabeth George

This is one of the valentines that's being featured at the Facebook page between now and February 14th or so. I'm making a folder of them there if you want to go check them out. All, of course, on the theme of love, but related somehow to children. This one is No. 6.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all as we celebrate God's gift of His Son. Remember His purpose in coming. Believe in Him.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy November!

Source: Snoopy on Facebook

Happy Labor Day

(Image from Snoopy on Facebook)

Hope you have a great Labor Day! Thankful for all the hard workers who helped make our country prosperous.

America's Most Valuable Resource

"Children are our most valuable natural resource." ~ President Herbert Hoover

As we celebrate yet another birthday for our beloved country, my thoughts went to this quote which I discovered quite a few years ago. We even had it as one of our "Speakables" back in the early days. I believe it's one of the most powerful statements I've heard about the value of children. I have other quotes to share, many having to do with their value with regard to  the Kingdom of God, but this particular quotation is focused on the political  realm, which is, of course, most appropriate for today.

Let's think about this for a moment. When something is "natural" it means it's not made by people, it's a part of nature, or in other words, a creation by God apart from human workmanship. "Resources" are items that are useful or have benefit to people. When a country has natural resources, obviously these are things it has by nature; things which are not only useful, but valuable. Geography was never a favorite subject when I was a student or a home teacher, but learning about the natural resources possessed by this or that country was somewhat enjoyable. It somehow seemed to be a way of discovering how God distributed His blessings here and there about the earth.

So you can understand why these words by President Hoover were so profound. As true as they were then, they are no less true today. When we really apply this truth, our children are the requisite factor that will make the determination of what comes next. Wherein  does our hope lie for the future? Laws are being passed, many controversial. Farmers are planting. New inventions are being developed. New weapons and procedures are being formulated for warfare. Health care and insurance is ever changing. We could go on and on. But when it comes to the future of this nation, celebrating birthday number 237, the most valuable resource we have as to where this all will lead is in our children. And may I say further, as important as their education may be, and it is, there is nothing so crucial to the future of America as the spiritual and moral training we implement in the critical years of childhood.

Raise them properly, parents. Influence them well, grandparents. Guide them with sensitivity, teachers at home, school, and church. It's the best thing we can do for our country.

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

Bye Now May

Source: Uploaded by user via Snoopy on Pinterest

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal-an Addendum

After my post earlier today, I ran across this picture at Pinterest (my favorite place) and feel compelled to add the pin to this blog in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal, as well as in honor of spring. After pinning it onto our Creator God board, it seems others like it too, since at present it's being repinned by quite a few folks. That's because these two are so precious. Enjoy them.

Source: enchantedcookie.tumblr.com via Speakable Gifts on Pinterest

Happy May Day!

Source: Uploaded by user via Snoopy on Pinterest

Gardening With The Kids

Some links for you about gardening with your kids. We highly recommend it! The article at our website should be a real help.

Happy spring! Trust us, it's here.

Happy First Day of Spring!

Source: almanac.com via Speakable Gifts on Pinterest

Charlie Brown Christmas

Never forget.