Women’sBlessed E-Magazine LivingFall/Winter 2015 How to 12 Steps to Improve your Marriage Embracing Solitude 20 Recipes Sister -in- Focus Her Roller Coaster Life plus Medical Team Issue 7 in Guatemala Never Alone Fall/Winter 2015 What’s Inside Features 6 A Servant’s Heart, Bishop Meet a service dog and have many of your questions answered. 16 The Sacrificial Leaf His Creation speaks of His Grace – the gospel in a leaf. Home+Family 29 Sister-in-Focus MS has not slowed down this racing ministry mom, Lisa Shaw. 36 My Witnessing Story Could God be preparing you for the mission field? Sandy Andrassy spells out the pros and cons of mission work from her recent trip to Guatemala. 52 The Joy of Solitude Making time for solitude is valid to a healthy spiritual life. 56 Set Free Pam Durham’s testimony will help you believe in miracles. 68 SSoJ/E God wants to bless you and does everyday. Don’t miss any of them. 84 Our Favorite Invention — 14 Mind Your Marriage 28 Single Parent Corner 94 Homemade for 104 Bond Appétit The Church Have you ever felt alone even in your How God will be the husband for a Health Guests are coming – are you ready for How wonderful that Jesus formed His Church as a own home? single mother. Makeup that you can make yourself. those with special diets? Body. 25 Out of the Box 44 Reel Gems 99 Grace-filled Garden- 118 From the Prepper’s 101 The Unity of Diversity Give your guests the spa treatment Enjoy a Romantic movie that er Pantry As they scream about diversity from the rooftops, with these 10 hostessing ideas. reminds you of how much Christ Raised beds might just be the ticket for German Potato Salad from your we can question what they mean. loves you: A Walk in the Clouds. your green thumb. pantry. 120 Creativity Personalized knitted baby quilt and for security, copper-lined wallets. Soul+Spirit Life+Work Extras 46 Her Master’s 65 Penny’s Two Cents Business Worth 26 God Modeled Love 126 Highlighted Bios Teamwork thrives with this family Trusting God with your precious ones, A heartfelt prayer. Jennifer Baringer and Jeanie business — White City Historical your children. Holzmacher Antique Mercantile 51 Thank You Note 127 Index of Writers’ A thank you note to our Abba Father. Work 18 Be Blessed 72 For the Love of 59 Techie Granny 88 Be Well! All the articles sorted by writers’ Elizabeth distinguishes how Christ will Hebrew Beware of beast technology. God wants you to eat His way – it’s names. alter us as we approach His altar. The Fall Feasts are worthy of healthier for you. Article includes 3 celebrating. healthy recipes. 55 Wanted 128 Closing Wanted: How has God answered a Vocabulary quiz – are you disenfran- 20 Penny’s From Heaven 78 Question Everything 124 Plan of Salvation prayer in your Life? chising others by your word choices? Life lessons from a garden. They are all around us: Angels. The Gospel in the Old Testament FRONT COVER PHOTO BY SUSAN HOPEK 2 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | BACK COVER PHOTO BY JEssICA GRANT | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | 3 Staff: Mission Statement: Editor & Publisher: Jill Bond To bless ladies by showing Jesus fleshed out in the lives [email protected] of other women by sharing articles of His Presence in their lives that agree with the Scriptures. Asst. Editor & Designer: Bethany Bond Associate Editors Editor’s Welcome Coming Up in Our Next Issue: Penny Cooke Susan Hopek Publishing Date — If The Lord wills… Blessed Living Spring/Summer 2016 Writers Women’s E-Magazine Sandy Andrassy Jennifer Baringer Jill Patrice Bond Theme: Prayer Works Penny Cooke How to request prayer support Kathy Diggs & Pam Durham Praying for your marriage Elizabeth “Liz” Dolica Your answers to prayer B. Abbey Gayle Give yourself time to pray w/Crockpot-friendly recipes Dora Grace Welcome! And More… Jeanie Holzmacher Susan Hopek rending recently was a We’re introducing three new col- Bitsy LaPortal story about a couple who umnists to you: Jennifer Baringer, Lisa Shaw have spent $75,000 in the Gloria van der Gott, and Jeanie Visit Our Links for Updates: Anne Marie Trense last few years traveling Holzmacher. I think you’ll enjoy their back and forth to En- new columns: Single Parent Corner, Gloria van der Gott gland to visit a particular Question Everything (intensive Bible Blog — blwemag.wordpress.com Hana Whitefield Tpub. To them it is the quintessential study), and Be Well! (Biblical healthy E-Magazine URL — www.blwemag.com British pub where the patrons are living). truly welcomed. They like that pub so With only two issues this year, we Facebook Page — www.facebook.com/BlessedLiving- Photography much, they are trying to transfer their wanted to fill it extra full, so I think Sandy Andrassy WomensEMagazine jobs from America to Great Britain just you’ll be pleased with the addition of Jennifer Baringer to be near that establishment. two more columns with recipes, two Twitter — www.twitter.com/@blessedLivingWE Bethany Bond When I heard about their tale, the craft projects, and some feature song from an old television show, articles that will warm your heart. Pinterest — Blessed Living Penny Cooke Cheers, came to mind, about going to You’ll find inspiration from Anne YouTube Channel — Blessed Living Jessica Grant a place where everyone knows your Marie’s trip though a local estuary. Try Susan Hopek name. How sad that the best the to keep from tearing up with Pam’s world has to offer is a pub… amazing testimony (Set Free). Enjoy Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine is published by a fel- Kathleen Kexel When there is a deeper, richer, discovering what SSOJ/Es are and lowship of women who attend a wonderful church of the Lisa Shaw better place to go to feel welcome, start your own search. Meet a marvel- Anne Marie Trense your local church. No one need ever ous servant of God, my service dog, Treasure Coast of Florida. This magazine is an independent feel alone, when there are other Bishop. Join us as we marvel at how project and is not an official publication of that church. believers around. And when it comes the Body of Christ operates in contrast Art to knowing your name, I’m thrilled with the perversity of diversity. You’ll Bethany Bond beyond ecstatic, that my LORD knows even have your vocabulary run Blessed Living is a publication of The Bonding Place, LLC. Each writer my name. through the ringer with my closing retains full copyright of her articles. They have given permission for Lynn Marie Carlsen (Reel Gems Logo) As we delve into this issue, Never thoughts. The Bonding Place, LLC to publish their articles in this e-magazine. Alone, may I invite you to embrace And then there’s our Sister-in-Fo- Contributors that you never need be alone – and cus, Lisa Shaw, and how God has For reprints of individual articles, please contact the writer directly for Lisa Careccia that comes through Christ alone. worked miracles in her life and renews permission. This e-magazine is offered freely to the public and you may We are blessed beyond measure her even as she battles Multiple Jessica LeMaster distribute freely. Please share the links to our magazine with anyone that our readership has expanded to Sclerosis. I pray you will enjoy all these Southern Belle more than 75 countries. So, you are wonderful ladies’ words, the beautiful and everyone. You are welcome to print copies – as long as it is an not alone, sweet lady, you are joined photographs, and Bethany’s artwork. exact copy with the copyright clearly visible. No commercial reprinting by other ladies all over the world in 5 Join us because, dear Sister, you are allowed – you may not sell any of this e-magazine. Design and full mag- reading this magazine. never alone. azine copyright to The Bonding Place, LLC. All rights reserved. Jill All errors are ours. All Glory is God’s. 4 Fall/Winter 2015 | Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | | Fall/Winter 2015| Blessed Living Women’s E-Magazine | Feature know he’s gorgeous, gotten the best of both breeds. accessibility in your state before you but please don’t pet About any breed can be a good go to the expense of purchasing, him. He’s working.” service dog depending on what training, and certifying any other If I had a dollar for behaviors are needed for the friend species. “Ievery time I’ve said that . and it’s a companionable size. A larger But here’s the catch – they have to A Servant’s Heart, I guess the first thing you need to dog for a large man, a medium dog be real service dogs. know about service dogs is that they for a lady, a smaller-sized dog for a PLEASE, if you know anyone who are working dogs. When they are child. Even a tiny Chihuahua was thinks she is pulling a fast one with working, please, PLEASE do not pet trained for a woman who had sei- the airlines by passing off a pet as a Bishop them. zures. The dog could get to a specially service animal, because she doesn’t Why? That’s the second most asked made pill dispenser and force it in her want to leave Muffy at the kennel, ask question besides, “May I?” lady’s mouth while she was seizing.