Cakes Made With Love

Tuesday’s Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

God sure teaches me through Pops' and my grandkids.

I can still vividly recall a conversation a then 3-year-old granddaughter and I had while baking a cake together. When her parents joined us for lunch, they remarked that the cake was especially good.

The three year old cocked her head. “Know why?” she asked.

“Why?” her dad answered.

“I poured the cake mix in with all of my love,” she said. “The goodness you taste is my love.”

Out of the mouths of babes! She captured the real reason why she wanted to help make the cake. And, she expressed why caring grandparent do what we do. We cook meals, baby-sit, go to football games, pray, and read goodnight stories not out of obligation—but out of love.

Love—there’s nothing better, is there?

I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:13,“And now these three remains: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Have a great week!

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Savoring the Simple Things

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

It was fun reading your comments about last Friday's post. It seems like lots of us have fond memories of not only tadpoles and frogs, but also box turtles and lightening bugs.

I asked one of our sons if it would be okay if Pops and I gave our four-year-old grandson a "Grow a Frog" kit. "You don't need to do that," he answered. "I gave him a tadpole that I found when I went fishing and it's in a bucket in our garage."

Glad I asked. A tadpole in a bucket is just as good as a "Grow a Frog" kit ... maybe a lot better. It's such a simple thing.

It really doesn't take much to make a kid happy, does it?

My childhood memories include not just tadpoles from the neighbor's pond, but also climbing a "slippery" tree, holding squirming puppies, and lying in the warm grass while imagining shapes of animals in the clouds above.

And it seems like yesterday when our sons were jumping through tires and racing to trees in the backyard, and building make-believe forts out of sheets and blankets. When the grands visited last weekend they had so much fun building things with the same blocks that their dads played with years ago.

Do you ever feel like life today is far too complicated? Could it be time to go back and savor the simple things?

What were some of the simple things that you enjoyed as a child. Do you ever stand in the backyard at night with your grandchild, look up at the stars, and just wonder together?

Have a great week!

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo © Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

First-Time Grandma

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

I was visiting with a friend recently who had just found out that she’ll be a first-time grandma. As she told her exciting news, one big smile covered her face.

Her son and his wife had given her a present—a wrapped Willow figure of a grandparent and grandchild. When she opened it, she got the message.

Another friend shared how she and her husband were invited to a picnic by their daughter and son-in-law. When they saw their granddaughter at the park, she had on a T-shirt that said, “I’m going to be a big sister.” That meant ...

One of our sons and his wife gave us a CD with some family pictures on it. In the middle of the CD was a very special picture—of an ultrasound. We were thrilled because we knew another grandbaby was on the way!

How were you told that you were going to be a grandparent? Please post a comments below or e-mail me at mary@marymaywrites.com.

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo © Krasphoto/dreamstime.com

Making the Story of David and Goliath Come Alive

Friday's Grand Connection Fun
by Mary May Larmoyeux

Thanks to those who left comments and sent e-mails about Tuesday's post. Your words were a good reminder that we all have our Goliaths. "No matter what season of life I'm experiencing," KJ said, "I seem to always have giants to face and conquer."

Whether we are facing the giants of cancer, a lost job, a rebellious loved one, etc., God will never desert us. We are reminded in Isaiah 41:10, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

For this week's Friday's Fun, let's reenact the story of David and Goliath with our younger grandkids. Make a homemade slingshot from a wishbone-shaped stick and a rubber band, and use wads of paper or cotton balls for stones. You could be Goliath and your grand could be David.

After making "giant sounds," call out "Who will fight me?"

Ask your grandchild to say, "With God's help, I will," and then let him/her shoot you with the paper wads or cotton balls. Be dramatic as you "fall" to the ground. Take some time to discuss with your grand how the boy David was able to take down huge Goliath. (David wasn't focusing on the size of the giant before him. Instead he was focusing and trusting in our all-powerful God.)

For long-distance grandchildren, we could read the story of David and Goliath over the phone (1 Samuel 17) and then talk with them about David's faith. Ask your grandchild if he/she is facing any Goliaths. Depending on your grand's age, you may want to share some Goliaths that you are facing.

Here's another idea: You and your older grandchildren may want to gaze into the night sky together (do this in person or by talking on cell phones at the same time). Try to count the stars. Read Psalm 8:3 (NIV) together: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place," and talk about the wonderful things that God has created.

Then imagine what David, the shepherd boy, saw when he protected sheep on a hillside thousands of years ago and discuss why he had such faith in God.

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

A Boy Named David

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by May Mary Larmoyeux

It seems like I’ve heard the story of David and Goliath a million times. Yet, no matter how many times I hear it, the faith of the small boy David facing the giant always amazes me. David knew God upfront and personal. He truly believed nothing is impossible with the Lord, and he acted on that belief.

I'll never forget sharing the story of David and Goliath at church to a group of 3-5 year olds. Our out-of-town grandson was visiting that weekend, and when I asked for a volunteer to be David, his hand shot high in the air. So, I chose him to play the part.

Who was Goliath? A high school student who was over 6 feet tall. Seeing my small grandson next to the seemingly huge Goliath gave me a new appreciation for the faith of David.

When Goliath roared, "Who will fight me?” my four-year-old grandson jumped to his feet and shouted in his tiny voice, “I will.”

As I watched my grandchild standing next to Goliath. I thought If this were a real fight, you wouldn’t have a chance—in man’s eyes.

I can’t help but think of the future battles ahead for our grandkids. As they get older and experience more of life’s temptations and struggles, I hope they will be like young David and will rely on God's enabling strength. May they know that when the Lord is on their side, absolutely nothing is impossible.

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.