Gadarene RUSH on this Post: Amber Necklace Giveaway

My latest obsession is Baltic Amber. In fact, you will notice that everyone in our family, except the hubby, is sporting their new link of it. I think that the hubby is intrigued by it, but is waiting to see if the Baltic Amber necklace changes our lives in a noticeably scientific way. The only lanyard he will sport is his AWANA name tag or a ski pass.

I heard about Baltic Amber from a friend at church. I must admit, at the time I was FAR from being the Granola Mom 4 God that I am now. Being comfortable in her own skin, this intriguing home birth mommy had her kids wear an amber necklace for teething.

Being mostly uneducated, I thought, "What about that gross teething gel, Mylicon?" (Not realizing that teething gel and Mylicon worked on two opposite ends of a baby. I have since learned and often use Hyland's teething tablets--that is, before THE NECKLACE arrived in our mailbox). The Baltic Amber necklace looked like a strangling hazard and it would probably cause SIDS. I filed this ancient pain-relief remedy in the dungeon of my pregnant belly only to be birthed into existence again by my third child , who failed to experience relief from the homeopathic teething tablets.

Four years later, three children, myself, and my mom are all sporting our Baltic Amber. Yes, tree resin has helped our aches and pains. How does it work? Well, that is for you to find out and why I am hosting a giveaway. My midwife taught me a valuable lesson, though frustrating at the time. Make an educated decision for yourself. Do your homework. It affects you and your family.


Mr. Smiley, who was acquiring his first two bottom teeth, began to take longer naps once donning the mysterious brown necklace.


Mr. Smackdown and Mr. Easy have actually SLEPT IN the past several mornings, praise the Lord. And I, though waken up frequently by Mr. Smiley, have woken up more rested.

Initially, so as not to make a gadarene rush, I only purchased one necklace for the most pressing painful situation, Mr. Smiley. I saw results and shared our amber experience with my mom. Convinced she gifted those near and dear with amber.


It was at this point that I befriended Kate, from Inspired by Finn. Kate is a cool mom, passionate about natural and holistic healing. I asked her what she liked best about being a mom and she replied, "I LOVE the opportunity every day to share the experience of life through the eyes of a child. The hugs and kisses are out of this world as well :)." OK Kate, twist my arm--I'd love to host a giveaway for you!


And now for a cool holistic freebie. Thus my first giveaway, brought you by Inspired by Finn.

Things you must do to enter the drawing:

1. If you aren't a follower already, then become a follower of Granola Mom 4 God.

2. Screen-shop Inspired by Finn and post a comment telling me what color of Baltic Amber that you like.

How to Earn Additional Entries: After completing the above mandatory post leave me separate posts for the following steps you participate in.

3. Blog about this giveaway with links back to here and Inspired by Finn and gain 3 extra entries. You must post on my blog with a link to your post.

4. Send this post to your friends. Each friend, who is not already a follower, counts as an entry. Leave a message alerting me to who you bragged to.


5. Leave a comment about what you learned from Kate's website.

This contest ends March 3rd, and I MUST have access to a valid email to contact you if you want to win.

Word of the Week: gadarene

What the spank is this word and where in the world of mothering would I use it? The way I interpret gadarene's meaning, pronounced GAD-uh-reen, is to be hasty in a decision, to jump on the bandwagon-without really thinking about what you are about to do.

I picked this week's word by simply going to Mirriam-Websters Online Dictionary for their "word of the day." This word is derived from the very chapter I studied last week in Bible study! Luke 8: 26-39, refers to a man named Legion, who lived in Gerasenes (or the country of the Gadarenes--Matthew 8:28). Legion was plagued by demons, naked, and lonely. Yet, Jesus just so "happens" to come along and ask for his good name.

"Legion," the man declares. I imagine him almost croaking these words out, neck bulging with effort, as the evil spirits try to lock his mouth shut. The demons probably turned cold at this twist of fate. No longer can they hold this man captive. But where can they go?

Scripture tells us that the demons implore Jesus to not command them into the abyss. What is so bad about the abyss? The abyss, in reference, is the one we learn about in Revelation 20:1. All I have to say is that if a demon doesn't want to go there, then it must be a pretty nasty place.

Instead, they choose to indwell a pig. A pig? I don't understand their logic, but it works for them to enter this "unclean" animal (which is an altogether different subject). For some reason, Jesus is generous to his enemies and grants their request; perhaps because He knows that eventually they will be stuck in the abyss and, well, pigs are pretty foul themselves. The demons then grunt their grand, fat, pink bottoms with tiny tails down the steep bank and into the lake. Drowning themselves. It really seems like a rash and foolish plan to me.

Because of this, gadarene becomes a synecdoche for a hasty rushing into something . . .

Now, there is another reason why I chose this word. But that will be for another day. I will give you a hint. I wanted to gadarene purchase five items, but figured it was foolish until they had been tested and approved on one family member. And this item is . . . .

Memory Cross Valentine Update

I am amazed how God has made each of us differently and fascinated by the imagination of some people, in particular the genius who created these Memory Cross cards (I know that I sound like a commercial).

Mr. Smackdown enjoyed coloring his Bible story cards and Mr. Easy delighted in making them into a table that he piled crayons upon. Regardless of how they were used, they were a hit in our household. They provided the perfect morning entertainment, fulfilling the intended purpose of showing God's lavish love, while we anxiously awaited the Hubby's yummy French toast.

If I were teaching Sunday school, I think I would be tempted to use these as my entire lesson, culminating in each child getting a Memory Cross card to color and take home. Talk about a great hands on lesson!

Additionally, they would make great cards for kids to color and give to neighbor--along with a nice baked good, send to a sick person, or decorate for a teacher. The Bible craft cards would be helpful while waiting at the doctor, unique as a sibling gift when the new baby arrives, or a creative non-sugar altermative for a sticker chart filled up. Reward your kids with the Word!

I'll let you know how the family pack works for helping me memorize scripture.

I've dated for 16 years

What were you doing 16 years ago today? I CLEARLY remember this unique day that happened 1/2 of my life ago. I hung out with my girlfriends at the local eating establishment, called Profits. I looked forward to snow that was to be coming the next day, along with a bowling birthday party for my friend Jack. I eagerly anticipated what I would wear that night to the basketball game. And I met my husband.

While everyone is ramping up to celebrate Valentine's Day, I am praising God that today marks our 16 year dating anniversary. Sixteen years ago, tonight, I conspired to have a "blind" date with this cute football player. Andy and Sharon, pictured above, graciously agreed to "host" this blind date, especially since my hottie husband could not yet drive. The hubby and I didn't do much talking that night. We smiled a lot, ate pizza, went bowling, and hung out a Denny's. But it launched an amazing love affair that continues to this day.

Thanks, Andy and Sharon! (and Ryan)

I love you, Husband. Thanks for a great 16 years!

#5) Techniques to maintain Bible Memorization

Two words: Memory Cross

As a little girl, I had a weird obsession with paper. I collected paper, crumpled it up, flattened it out, crumpled it up, and flattened it out until it was almost as soft as a tissue. This slightly compulsive act would lay stacked up in a fairly tall pile in my closet. Later, I became obsessed with recycling paper. Paper became my major in college--kind of. Every English major has to have lots of paper when creating novellas. Today, effective devotional journaling must involve a journal that has soft enough paper to soak up the perfect ink pen. I love to rub my hand over paper, assessing its invitation to be used for profound thoughts and meaningful inscriptions. Perhaps that is why I am pretty jazzed about my most recent find of creative contortions of paper. Let me write it again: Memory Cross

Having been a kindergarten teacher, I found that it was always important to provide a hands-on learning experience. If you want a child (or anyone, for that matter) to remember an important idea, then have an object lesson! The more senses (taste, touch, smell, site and sound) that you can stimulate, the greater your chances of making a lasting impression. Additionally, I really like small, cute things. Let me type it again: Memory Cross

In an attempt to provide a neat present for Mr. Smackdown and Mr. Easy on Valentine's Day that would show them God's love and our love, I found myself at a loss. Yes, I succumbed to candy (organic chocolate, if you must know) but I wanted something creative, purposeful, lasting, loving and eternal. I wanted to make this holiday not about romance but about a lasting love that God gives us through Jesus.

I want Mr. Smackdown, Mr. Easy, and Mr. Smiley to feel treasured and loved through our purposeful Valentine gift to them. Two words: Memory Cross

What is Memory Cross you ask? Well, for someone who has always struggled with memorizing scripture (me), this is a cool way to make memorizing scripture fun. (Rather than being redundant and ill-equip, at this late hour, to explain this intricate paper folding, I encourage you to go to their website.)

It is a hands-on, kinesthetic (though you can be sitting in a chair) Bible memory experience. In a nutshell, a Bible verse is on a piece of paper that is folded in a gazillion different ways and you keep opening it up like a never-ending gift, which is what God's word is to us.

Does it help you memorize scripture? I don't know yet!!! We just got our family pack of Bible memory verses in the mail. Plus, it isn't Valentine's Day! And as an added treat, Memory Cross threw in some samples, which were way cool. One of the freebies happened to be a Valentine Card made large enough for tiny hands to continually open AND was black and white for the kiddos to color. The kids' Valentine Card was a hit! The boys really enjoyed coloring it, and showing lots of love for each other as they took turns beautifying their symbol of God's loving Valentine message. We just have to decide who to give it to!

So guess what? Two words: Memory Cross