Heart Hope by Olga

Is Halloween a wicked holiday? Should families allow their children to participate in the activities of the day? Do Christians need to take a stand against it? Well, I might upset some of you with my answer, but I don’t think it is a terrible thing for kids to dress up in costumes and Trick or Treat for tasty treats.  Every day kids of all ages enjoy dressing up and pretending to be someone that they are not. What child has not dressed up as mommy or daddy when playing house? Or what about cowboys and Indians? Or princesses in fairytales? Army and teachers? Are these daily make-believe experiences harmful to their wellbeing or is it just a way of learning about life and living? I don’t think any adult would prohibit their child from playing school or house, so what’s the matter with Halloween?  If we shelter our kids from all of the questionable things in the world it can be detrimental to their ability discern good from evil as they mature. Halloween can and should be a tea...

Sitting at the dinner table my grandson, Will said, “Raise your hand if you are good” and immediately six hands shot up. Thinking quickly, I determined that this might be a teachable moment, so I hastily put mine down and explained that my first reaction had been wrong.  Elaborating further in order to clarify to my grandson that I am not good…my actions are sometimes wrong, my thoughts are not always pure, my words are not always kind, my heart motives can be contaminated because I am a sinner. The only reason that I have anything good in my life is because of Jesus. I informed my grandson that I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. I told him that I make mistakes, but that I try to make good choices because I represent Jesus to the world. By the time I had finished my confession, all of the hands around the table were down. The Bible tells us that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” but it also tells us that we don’t have to stay that way because God has...

16 ounces bow tie pasta or spaghetti 6 garlic cloves minced 5 T olive oil 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Parmesan Cheese Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and cook the pasta according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking heat the olive oil in a large skillet, add the garlic and finely chopped rosemary and fry for 2-3 minutes over a medium heat until the garlic is golden in color. Drain pasta and add it to the frying pan, mix the pasta, garlic and rosemary well until all pasta is well coated. Six slices of cooked bacon may be added to give it additional flavor. Serve with steamed broccoli . www.hearthope.org

Earlier this week I shared with you about the beautiful woman who was not so pretty when she showed her “real self” by screaming across the airport in anger just because she missed the family boarding call. Today I want to tell you about two plain Janes that I encountered the same day who showed their true inner beauty. The Southwest Airlines plane had only middle seats available when it was time for me to board. The passengers already on the plane obviously did not want to share their middle seat with anyone, so I looked for the least threatening pair to request a seat in their center spot. It just so happen that there were two large women; you probably know the type. They had plastic purses, tightly curled perms, wore sweatshirt cardigans and donned no makeup or jewels. They were just good ole people, with no pretenses. I would be safe asking them if I could sit between them and they graciously allowed me entrance into their row. The two ladies happened to be a mother daughter p...

The beautiful blonde woman stood out in the lobby of the airport. The hair was perfectly styled, the makeup was perfectly applied and the outfit was put together exactly right. Her tan was even and the accessories completed her look. Can you tell that I was a bit envious as I glanced at her, because I never seem to have the time, energy or money to look the way she did? All of my thoughts about her quickly vanished when I was standing in the queue to board the Southwest Airline flight to return to Denver. I was in the second half of boarding group B waiting to be called when I heard a voice yelling across the terminal. As everyone turned to see what was causing the commotion I realized it was the lady I had observed earlier. She again let out an intensified scream as she pushed an empty stroller across the walkway. Had she lost her child? Well in a way, she had. Her daughter and grandson appeared as I heard her scolding them for missing the "family boarding" call. She was...

1 pkg. (15 oz.) Hostess Twinkies (10 Twinkies)-you can also use angel food cake torn into pieces 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 1 C. confectioners’ sugar 1 container (8 oz.) Cool Whip, divided 2 (3.4 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin 1½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1 C. milk Additional pumpkin pie spice Slice Twinkies in half lengthwise and place cream side up, in single layer in 9 x 13” baking dish.   Using a mixer, blend together cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and ½ of whipped topping until smooth.   Spread evenly over Twinkies.   Combine pudding mix, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and milk.   Whisk until well blended and layer over cream cheese mixture.   Carefully spread remaining whipped topping over pumpkin.   Lightly sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.   Refrigerate several hours or until set.  www.hearthope.org

The keys were lost. I was delighted that I had not driven my daughter’s car and therefore had nothing to do with the disappearance of them. Everyone was scurrying around looking in the regular places--by the front door, on the kitchen counter, hanging on the key rack in the laundry room. Pockets were searched, purses were examined, even outside around the car was inspected, but they were nowhere to be found. Plans had to be changed and my husband had to take my son-in-law to the airport, my daughter had to walk my grandson to school while I waited at home searching for the keys. Where could they be? My son in law had driven the car the evening before, and there was not a spare set. The day was not going as we had planned… My pride knowing that I had nothing to do with the disappearance of the keys was getting the best of me, until I reached in my purse for and saw a set of keys--they looked like mine, but the house key was not the right shape. I was horrified. They were not my k...