My east coast grandkids are getting over a round of the flu coupled with colds so today was another non-church day for them. Their folks and I did the round robin with them. They went to early service while I babysat. Then it was my turn for late service – and a VERY good service it was. If you didn’t make it to church and would like notes, write me and I’ll type them up and send them to you. It was so encouraging!

I wanted to do a Sunday School with the grandkids but wound up not sleeping much last night so opted for a singing Sunday School instead. After I finished all my old favorites and they were busily playing with their toys, I started thinking, “I need some new songs to add to my repertoire!” So off I went on a hunt for new songs and I I found some good ones, right in my own bookshelves.

In one bookcase I found a book I’d picked up for a song at a yard sale. “100 Action Songs for Toddlers” by David C. Cook Publishing isn’t available straight from Amazon, but you can order it from them via a second party either used or new. It’s part of an older series that I really like. This particular book has 100 songs with actions and they are all set to familiar nursery rhyme tunes. It’s great for at home, but also for a school or Sunday School. One example from the book is:

Who is Jesus – set to the tune of Are You Sleeping?

“Who is Jesus? Who is Jesus?

Shrug shoulders

He’s God’s Son. He’s God’s Son.

Point up

Jesus is my Savior! Jesus is my Savior!

Clap hands

He loves me! I love Him!

Hug self”

It’s small enough to tuck into my purse and the hand motions will help hold their attention.

In a second bookcase I found a book I bought at the Christian bookstore and love. It’s part of a two book series and I really want to buy the second one as well. This one is “Pray & Play Bible” by Group Publishers. The writers have taken several Bible stories, retold them in a simple yet interesting manner with large and bright pictures. After each story there are simple songs, crafts, snack ideas, and prayers to go with the story. One example is from the story of Abraham and Sarah:

Trust the Lord – also sung to the tune of Are You Sleeping (Honest, I didn’t do that on purpose )

“Trust the Lord, trust the Lord

Every day, every way.

Turn to Him and pray.

Trust Him and obey.

Every day, every way.

Along with that song are several others, as well as a game to teach our grandkids how God keeps His promises, a science experiment to look at the starry sky, a footprint project, making a praise altar and several other fun ideas.

Both of these books would make excellent additions to your library or your grandchildrens’ libraries, as well as to your church or school libraries. Even more important, the Scripture truths you will instill into their hearts by singing these songs will grow wonderful fruit in their hearts.

Here are the latest resources from my Twitter “microblog”. As you may recall, Twitter is a fun site that lets you share very short (140 characters maximum) messages with others. Those messages can range from “how’s the weather where you are” to “here’s a great recipe to try” to disaster information.  It’s been a great resource for senior home care giving resources, grandparenting fun tips, yummy recipes for our Sandwich Generation families, and even emergency information! I found out about the earthquake in Southern California last night 1/2 hour sooner through Twitter than I did from CNN, Drudge Report, or even the LA Times, thanks to Breaking News Online and others on Twitter.

Ways to Save Money on clothes for grandkids:  Target has kids’ clothes on sale for up to 75% off. This can be a good opportunity for grandparents to help their children stock up on clothes for the grandkids. You might also want to buy a few items to keep at your house for clothing accidents during a visit.

Encouragement – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

I have to tell you, I was quite excited to “meet” an author I thoroughly enjoy online at Twitter. Brandilyn Collins has written several series including my two personal favorites, the Chelsea Adams series and the Hidden Faces series. I personally enjoy such TV crime shows as Criminal Minds, and these two series reminded me of a bit of that series, with a Christian mindset.

Ways to Save Money On Games – Battleship is an older game that’s still popular with today’s youth. Because it’s older, it’s easier to find used at yard sales and thrift stores. My grandson and I had a great time playing it this week.

Food~Fact: Some research seems to show that large amounts of garlic can shorten the duration of cold. Thanks to @Foodimentary for that great tip. My senior mom and I have to second that research. When my family started in on colds, I would head straight for the kitchen and make my dad’s Chicken Soup complete with tons of garlic, chili pepper, and red pepper. Just the smell of it made us feel better and the garlic was great at chasing away the germs!

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Here’s a quick reminder to backup your computers, hard drives, email, etc. Good time, also, to run the defragmenter, virus checker, etc.

Got stanky laundry from messy grandkids? I loved the question and loved the advice even more. I’ll definitely be giving that combo a try!

There was another Salmonella outbreak. To be on the safe side, it’s probably wise to not eat unwashed food; raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat; or raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy for the time being.

Another good tip from Foodimentary: To clean a messy bbq grill, use 1/2 of an onion to scrape off the grease and burnt-on food pieces. Use the onion like a scouring pad. I’m looking forward to giving that a try this spring!

Encouragement - In God’s Word I put my hope.

Real Estate Tweeter, OhioRealtor, had a warning for all renters. In this season of mass bankruptcies and foreclosures, watch out for fake landlords and rental scams! Be sure to pass this info on to your elderly parents if they are looking for a rental.

If you are an online entrepreneur or small business owner, you might find one or more ebooks of interest at Toren Brothers’ List of Top 10 Best EBOOKS for Online Entrepreneurs & Small Biz Owners. Many of them are free.

LookingFit.com has an interesting article discussing a study about Vitamin D being linked to the Alzheimer’s Gene. Thanks to Twitter-er Alzheimers98 for that info.

For all of us writers, Glenn Murray of the Divine Write blog, , tipped us off to 50 of the Best Websites for Writers from EduChoices.

Encouragement – The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.

If you do decide to give Twitter a try and also want to work on your personal finances, Bible Money Matters has a great list of 125 personal finance Twitterers to follow.

I learned a new Beef Stroganoff recipe to share with your whole family, from aging parents to the little grandkids, thanks to babyboomerdivas for linking to that. I must say, they find such yummy recipes!

Great goals for all senior home care givers, whether providing dementia care or general care for aging parents.

Well, that’s it. I hope you enjoyed the latest Sandwich Generation Senior Home Care Giver and Grandparent Twitter round up. There’s more to come in a week or so.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Three names that many people know well, even some who haven’t read a Bible in years. If you don’t recognize their names, you might recognize this phrase – the three men in the fiery furnace! Their story is told in the book of Daniel, which I am currently studying over a several month period. These three Hebrews, who had been living in captivity in Babylon, refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar. They chose instead to stay strong and faithful to the one true God. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar not only threw them into the fiery furnace, he ordered his workers to add fuel to the flame to make it hotter. It was so hot that the people who threw these three young men into the furnace died from the outer heat. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went into the furnace, keeping their eyes fixed firmly on their God, with these words on their lips: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Now that’s courage and faith. But it didn’t happen right then. It came after years of praying, spending time in God’s Word, and walking with God.

Caregiving is not a fiery furnace, literally. But figuratively, it can sometimes seem like it. When you are already under the pile taking care of a sick family member, the bills are piling up, you’ve hit the maximum for insurance coverage, and then your elderly parent develops a terminal disease, you may well feel like the flames are being stoked. When your elderly mother recovered from cancer, only to have it recur two months after your father collapsed and died from a stroke, you feel those flames beating down on you. When your elderly parent, who was somewhat forgetful, moves in with you, and they develop Alzheimer’s Disease, including Sundowning, which causes them to become more confused, irritable, and upset later in the afternoon or evening, just as your husband and children are arriving home for the day, you can feel those flames jumping all around.

Hopefully, for most of us, caregiving is not usually that difficult or intense. But each of those stories I’ve written has happened to people I love, and I know how hard it can be. Even when life is not that difficult, the daily frustrations, irritations, extra work, higher bills, personality conflicts, etc. can often add up to create a sense of being in that furnace. What is the solution?

I can’t tell you how to leave the furnace. That may not be an option for a long time, if ever. I can, however, encourage you with the same words I constantly use to encourage myself, that with God by our side, with Jesus as our Savior, we are never alone in that furnace.

“Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded…”Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?…Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"  (Daniel 3:24-25) Whether that fourth man was an angel or a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, it was proof positive that they were not alone in that furnace and the same is true for us. I take great comfort in Isaiah 43:1b-3a. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

My goal is to join with the writer of Hebrews, and “fix my thoughts on Jesus,” day after day, minute by minute. Knowing He is right there with me is what keeps me going forward even when those flames do inch closer. I seek to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks,” along with Paul who wrote those words in 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8. And as I am praying for my friends, my family, myself, please know that I am also praying regularly for each of you reading these words, just as friends and family are praying regularly for me. Yet another way we know we are not alone in this furnace. I pray for God’s peace to surround you today and every day, and for you to truly be aware of His presence and power in your life in the midst of any fiery trial you may be experiencing, now or in the future.

As I write this, CNN, Fox News, Drudge Report and other news sites are reporting that Wall Street is doing awful, more banks are expected to fail, and the economy worldwide is in a world of hurt! Dealing with senior citizens who often live off investments means that all this can impact us in a very big way. We may be fielding calls from elderly parents who are very nervous about what’s going on. Many of us are probably fighting butterflies in our own stomachs about this. And even our adult children may be calling to say, “Hey Dad, Mom, what does this mean? Are you OK? Will it impact me?” The simple answer…we have no clue! I don’t think anyone here on Planet Earth really knows. But that reminds me of an oldie goldie phrase I love –

I don’t know what the future holds, but I KNOW Who holds the future!

None of this financial turmoil is a surprise to God. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He has promised to provide for His children. His Word is so powerful at a time like this and I thought it would be an encouragement to all of us.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake… Psalm 46:1-3

Kaye’s paraphrase – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the banks give way and the stock market falls into the heart of Wall Street, though the newspapers roar and foam, and the network news causes quakes with its reporting.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:6-9

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.  Psalm 34:17-19

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.. 1 Peter 5:6b-7

Through God we will do valiantly, And it is He who shall tread down our adversaries. Psalm 108:13

The worship music at my church is one of the highlights for me each Sunday. I love singing to praise God and am so blessed as I do it. I hope and pray I am a blessing to Him as well! Fortunately, as most of us know well, the Psalms say to make a joyful noise – I can handle that! My rhythm is a bit off, so I can’t sing and clap at the same time. But that’s ok. I just sway and tap my toes and praise my Holy God with great joy!

I love hymns and I love contemporary praise and worship. Being a bit on the hyper side, I have a decided preference for songs with a happy lilt to them.

Today we were blessed by Chris Tomlin’s song “Everlasting God.” The song is based on Isaiah 40:28-31. As a caregiver, I have many times read and reread this passage:

Do you not know?

       Have you not heard?

       The LORD is the everlasting God,

       the Creator of the ends of the earth.

       He will not grow tired or weary,

       and his understanding no one can fathom.

 He gives strength to the weary

       and increases the power of the weak.

 Even youths grow tired and weary,

       and young men stumble and fall;

 but those who hope in the LORD

       will renew their strength.

       They will soar on wings like eagles;

       they will run and not grow weary,

       they will walk and not be faint.

It is such a blessing to me to know that I can keep entrusting myself to God and He will keep me going, when I am exhausted, when I have too much to do, and even on those days when I feel like running away.

I am so grateful to God for the gift of His Word and for the gift of music to remind me of His Word! How about you? What are some of your favorite praise and worship songs that encourage you as you bless others with your gift of caring for them?

Church was great today! The music was wonderful and the sermon was interesting, educational, and funny (I love that combination). We were reminded of the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts that we might not sin against God. My memory is not so hot for memorizing any more but as I keep helping grandkids memorize their verses it plants those seeds into my head as well. I love that! I have fun making cute little charts for them with their verses and posting them all around the house. I have one hanging in the guest bedroom, I have one beside the toilet, and another one in the shower. I also keep one in the car for when we’re driving. During the school year, I use Awana’s verses and school verses. Each summer, we work on special projects. This past summer, we memorized The Lord’s Prayer. As soon as they have it totally memorized, we’re headed for Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate! For my grandkids who don’t live as close, I have fun making coloring pages and putting Bible verses on them. I also love singing Bible songs to them on the phone as we chat. It’s a great way to build memories, deepen our relationship, and share God’s love and Word together.

Another way I have found to plant God’s Word in my heart is to Scripture pray for others on a regular basis. I made a chart in Excel and listed over 90 of my favorite verses on it. Each day I pray for all of my beloveds – family, friends, neighbors, and others God brings to mind. (Yup, I have a chart with their names as well – that whole memory thing again J). I pray for various needs I am aware of.  I pray Romans 10:9 for any who are unsaved or not walking with the Lord. Finally, I read through and pray out the three verses I have listed for that particular day. Over the course of the month, I wind up praying 90 verses for all those people, as well as myself.  After doing that for several years, I’m finding many of those verses becoming more and more familiar to me and I trust that if ever it was necessary, God could bring those verses to my mind.

What ways have you discovered to hide God’s Word in your heart? We’d love to hear your ideas!