a child’s plea · 2018. 10. 1. · a child’s plea i am a little child… small; weak and...

A Child’s Plea

I am a little child… Small;

Weak and defenseless; I was born into this world

Not of my own choice. I could not choose

The kind of parents Or the type of home

That I’d have liked to have. I am only here –

In a sense, a victim Of circumstance.

I am a little child – With a soul

As white as snow, With eyes

As clear as the day, With a mind

Untroubled by cares, A little child –

The dearest, Sweetest,

Loveliest thing In all the world.

I am a little child –

More fragile than sheerest glass. Like a piece of clay

I wait On the ones who will mold me;

On the ones Who will be the making Or the breaking of me.

I am more precious Than oceans of gold.

And whether I become

A devil Or a saint at God’s right hand,

Depends So much on you –

On the things that I see, The things that I hear –

On the things you imprint Upon my baby mind.

Beware A soul is in your hands.

Mother to

Mother

July 2010

Hello, friends… I enjoyed hearing from each of you as I compiled this issue of “Mother to

Mother!” As you will notice from our new address below, we have moved since the

last issue came out. In fact, it’s quite recent – just about three weeks ago. So we’ve had some hectic days, but we’re glad the waiting is over; this house sale and move

has been in the works for several months – the involvements of selling, buying, and moving seemed to occupy most of our time (and minds!), and I’m glad that’s history.

We are enjoying getting settled into our larger house, and there’s plenty to keep us busy for awhile. I’ve particularly been working at the flower beds – they are/were a

weedy mess, but the perennials that are bravely poking through have potential for real beauty and I’m excited about uncovering it. I just need to remind myself it

doesn’t all have to get done this week! With all the upheaval of the move, some faxes weren’t coming through and

some phone calls were possibly missed. I tried to get back to those I could, but probably didn’t get around to everyone. Hopefully till next time around things will

be back to normal again! Thanks for your forbearance.

And I feel I owe you an additional apology for how late this is coming out this month! Soon after we moved, we had a week of summer Bible School and the

next week was a wedding in our congregation, with company to host. So guess what got pushed into second place…. We will try to do better next time!

We’ve each a task assigned us

A place for us to fill

Then bravely let us meet it

According to God’s will,

Nor treat it as a burden

But joyfully complete

The Master’s just assignment

With willing hands and feet.

Make difficulties stepping-stones

Along success’ road;

With Jesus as our Helper,

Why shrink beneath the load?

New contact information:

Glenn & Mary Beth Martin 595 Skyline Trail

Chester, MA 01011-9530

Phone & fax: (413) 354-7860 Email: [email protected] Mother to Mother is intended to be a forum of Christian mothers to address various issues they face in everyday life, and generate a discussion that can encourage and bless those involved.

mailto:[email protected]

You Ask, You Answer…

A good question that we all want answers for! Here are a few things

that have helped us.

1. Have the kitchen cleaned up neatly from the last meal so there

is as little to do as possible. Extra simple one-dish meals seem to work

the most smoothly for church nights.

2. Get yourself ready well ahead, including having your Bible laid

out and your diaper bag filled. Then you have time to devote yourself to children's needs.

3. Bathe the children and comb girl's hair ahead as much as you

can. I like to do it before supper. We just use hairspray or diluted hair

gel if necessary. And to keep clothes clean you can always wear an

everyday shirt on top of the good one or cover up with long aprons.

And don't forget to smile at your little people and sing with them while

they are dressing and combing; it's a great stress reliever! - Maine

In getting ready for church on time, I find it very helpful to make a

list Saturday night of what all needs to be done the next morning.

(Usually this list is only a mental list!) I go over my list and get the most

efficient order possible. Then I calculate how long I think everything will

take me and what time I have to get up in order to be done on time. It

takes us 10-15 minutes to get to church - so I always aim to be done a

half an hour before church starts. After this is all finished, I find getting

up 15 minutes earlier than the time I think I need, usually works to allow

for the small catastrophes that may come up with getting four little

ones ready for church! I know most of you may want helpful hints on

how to sleep in and still be ready for church, but I have learned that

Sunday morning is not my morning for sleeping in!

I also like to have as much of my Sunday lunch prepared by

Saturday night that I possibly can. I keep Sunday lunches very simple

(unless I have plans for company and even then sometimes it is easier

to have spur-of-the-moment company with no definite plans yourself!).

If I have nothing prepared, a breakfast is quick to prepare when we get

home! (Of course, you want to please your husband if he objects.) Or

lay something out to grill. Add potatoes chopped as French fries and

oven fry under the broiler after you get home. Or stir-fry some meat and

fill tortillas. The afternoon is our time of rest and the morning is less

stressful when you are not rushed! - Indiana

Question : Do you have any management tips on getting your family

ready for church on time, without that last minute rush?

Here are a few things that help me, although we do sometimes still

have that last minute rush. For me, getting ready for church begins on

Saturday. I like to have the shoes polished and all together. I lay the

children’s clothes out so they are handy. Get everyone’s Sunday school

books, tablets, pens, and Bibles together. Try to get to bed in good

time. And maybe you need to get out of bed a little earlier to get the

dinner in the oven and your hair combed before the children wake up.

Our breakfast dishes wait on the counter till after dinner. About five

minutes before we like to be on the road, I put the children’s jackets on

and then get them strapped into their car seats. - Ontario

These are some things that help us. It doesn’t always guarantee no rush,

but it helps. Start in plenty of time. Even if the baby wakes you up early

Sunday morning and you think you have extra time, don’t count on it.

Do as much as you can as soon as you can. Keep Bibles and Sunday

School books always in their proper places. Whenever I put the Sunday

diaper bag away, I like to be sure it’s ready to go the next time. If your kindhearted husband has time to dress the little ones, it makes it simpler

if their clothes are laid out. That can even be done the evening before

if you wish. (Let older children get their own clothes; they are very

capable.) We find it best to wait until after mealtime to get the littlest

ones dressed for church.

The ideal: Saturday evening – send everyone to bed clean and

early. Put the diaper bag and Bibles on the counter ready to go out the

door Sunday morning. Lay out the clothes. Sunday morning, get up in

decent time, eat breakfast, dress and comb little ones, brush teeth, put

the Saturday-made casserole into the oven or turn on the Crock-pot.

Then sit and read a short story to the children before rushing to the van. - Texas

My ten-year-old is to comb out her hair as soon as she gets up so it's not

so tangled when I have to comb it. Sometimes my younger girls do the

same and it really helps with those "after you wash it" tangles. Another

thing that helps is to comb out their hair and part it the night before so it

combs easily. My older boys like to help out by dressing their little

brother.

We usually have cold cereal for breakfast with maybe a hot

drink. Sometimes my husband makes an egg for everyone, but we do

not have a big breakfast. I often put a frozen roast in the crock pot the

night before. Sunday morning one of the children seasons it, someone

peels potatoes, carrots, and onions for it, and our hot dish is done.

Other times I get a package of vegetables out to thaw until we come

home and omit the carrots. The children need to help. Even a four-

year-old can peel carrots and can practice on potatoes. My boys do it

as well as the girls.

We still have those last minute rushes, but some of these things

help. - Colorado

Management tips to reduce the last minute rush? I’m not sure I have

answers – we still hurry! But some things to keep in mind…

Plan ahead. Do everything that you can ahead of time. Get up in

good time. Sunday morning sleep-ins are for the newlyweds or retired!

Don’t be bathing Baby on Sunday morning. Pack the bag, lay out

clothing for children – including finding matching socks and cleaning

the shoes – the day before. I like breakfasts that I can fix the evening

before. Baked French toast and other casseroles are favorites.

The children can help! They keep busy under my direction while I

comb the row of girls. I like waiting to put on my Sunday dress until the

last thing. That way I can go out the door feeling clean and fresh and

not pick hair off my dress all the way to church!

Above all, stay calm! If the milk spills, Johnny looses a button, the

Baby cries and a daughter calls from upstairs, “Mom, I can’t find a slip!”

– stay calm! Being a bit late for church isn’t the worst thing that could

happen. But being habitually late is not good – our children will get the

message that church isn’t all that important.

Not having been brought up with Wednesday evening services, I

found preparations for that harder to adjust to. Some short cuts I found

helpful – keep supper simple, start combing late afternoon already, and

believe it or not – my little people don’t get baths in the winter before

prayer meeting. I’m still learning in this area.

Remember the main thing is that you are ready to worship and be inspired in the house of the Lord. Getting a family ready might

always be a bit of a scramble, but it can be a cheerful scramble! - Missouri

Work at living less cluttered, more organized, all week long. Have a

definite place for everyone’s Sunday shoes with a clean pair of socks, a

sweater/jacket shelf, or a Bible/pocket-book shelf.

Do not allow things to be laid down here and there. Even at a

young age children can be taught where to place things. Much time is

lost hunting a carelessly kicked off pair of shoes or sweater flung here or

there. So a key is being organized.

Sunday is never the day to “sleep in.” Instead get to bed early

enough Saturday night so that it is a joy to awaken the family in

preparation for church. It’s been said “anything done after 9 PM

Saturday is working on Sunday.” This is not Bible but something worth

pondering.

A breakfast casserole containing protein, fat and vegetable is a

better mood-creator than boxed sugary cereals. It can also be fewer

things for table setting. Keep table discussion time low and allow older

ones to be excused earlier to brush teeth, clear table and all those last

details. Avoid the jellies, fruit juices, and ketchup that are typical spill

potential and cause messes on Sunday clothes! - Pennsylvania

This question is of interest to me also because it is something we face all

the time. An idea we have been trying sometimes lately is that I'll tell

the children to try and get around in time so that we can sit down

before it's time to go and Dad can read us a story. They love that and it

seems to help us stay focused and keeps everyone hurrying. The rush

happens before it's time to step out the door. I also feel like it's a good

way to be relaxed and to be more prepared to worship when we get

to church. Before we sit down, the children must have their Bibles and

be prepared to walk out the door. Then when it's time to get to the van,

story time is over. We don't always accomplish it, but it's something we

want to keep striving for. - Wyoming

We have five preschoolers and it is a challenge to get everyone what

they need and be out the door on time – and at the same time still

have them looking clean and presentable! We have found a few tips

along the way, but I still find it hard to manage getting to church on

time. Here are some things I find helpful… 1. Start on time. For me this means starting on Thursday to be

ready for Sunday morning! Being sure the laundry is all folded and put

away and after Wednesday evening services to make sure there’s

clothes there for Sunday is important. It is nice to have a set for Sunday

and one for Wednesday evening services just so you don’t need to

worry about that.

2. I usually make an egg bake sometime on Saturday so that first

thing Sunday morning I can put it in the oven and breakfast is taken

care of. No milk to put away after breakfast and no cold cereal bags

and boxes to mess with. We find our boys do better in church anyway if

they have eggs rather than cereal. Your 7-year-old can make the

casserole if you use a simple recipe – 2 cups milk and 8 eggs work well

with a layer of bread spread in a 9x13 pan.

3. Lay out clothes for each child ahead of time. For older children,

be sure all the clean laundry is put away so they can find their own

things.

4. After our children are dressed they sit on the couch with books.

Even the one-year-old will enjoy it if an older sibling shows them

pictures. We usually aim to be on the couch 15 minutes before time to

leave for church. That gives Mother time to feed baby, comb hair, and

wash faces.

I think a major tip is just getting up on time! I also like to just put

something in the Crock-pot for lunch; it can be as simple as a roast,

potatoes, and carrots served with applesauce and jelly bread.

I’m looking forward to gleaning more tips from others in this area.

We rarely get out the door in time to allow for a flat tire on the way to

church, as my Dad would say! - Colorado

I find it works best for us if I get up early Sunday morning and take my

shower and wash my hair. Then I wake the rest of the family. My

husband gets himself ready while I take the boys downstairs and give

them breakfast. (Cereal and milk with homemade yogurt or apple-

sauce sometimes is our Sunday morning breakfast.) While the boys are

finishing their breakfast I put dinner in the oven and lay out their clothes.

Then my husband will eat his breakfast while I bathe the boys. (I usually

put the boys in the tub and then comb my hair so I can supervise their

bath play.) Then my husband dresses the youngest while I get myself

ready.

I sometimes bathe the boys Saturday evening which saves a step

in the morning, but the youngest tends to wet himself and so I am no

farther ahead if he needs a bath again in the morning!

Because Saturdays are usually so full and busy and Sunday

morning I do not have much time to get something ready to put in the

oven for dinner, I sometimes plan my Friday supper menu so that I have

a leftover casserole to slide into the oven Sunday morning.

No matter how well we plan ahead or manage there will be

those last minute unexpected things like the baby spitting up or

discovering you have a run in your nylons. So allow yourself plenty of

time so those interruptions do not delay you from getting to church on

time. - Pennsylvania

Work ahead: if you have small children, you can lay out all clothes on

Saturday evening and even the older ones can lay out their clothes for

Sunday. Pack Baby’s bag, line up shoes, and sweaters. Set the

breakfast table after the little ones are in bed. And don’t overdo the

“sleep in” idea – getting up in adequate time goes a long way in

getting rid of that last minute rush. If you are rushed one Sunday, set

your alarm for 15 minutes earlier the next Sunday. And analyze why the

rush happens, and remedy it – do you have too much to do in the

morning, or is it your dawdler, or your toddler who eats slowly, or your

teen who spends too much time combing her hair? If you have older

children, assign each one a “help get ready for church” job that is

routine for them for each church service. - New Jersey

“Dear mother-in-law,

“Please don’t be afraid of me, your new daughter! My own mom

lives far away. Will you do some of the things I wish my mom were here

to do? I know I turned down your first offer or two of help. Please don’t

think you were intruding and that I am one of “those capable women.”

I do wish I were, but I just needed to learn that I am not the young girl I

used to be and that I do need help sometimes.

“By now, the day has come when I do wish you would call and

ask if you could have my little ones for a few hours so I can rest in

peace or work at some of those projects that little hands only hinder.

Stop by when you’re on the road, just to say hi. And while you are here,

I won’t mind a bit if you offer to help with that mountain of dishes,

sweep a crumby floor, fold a basket of wash, or read a few stories to

my children. They would love it and I would, too! Tell me stories of the

child-training struggles you faced when you sense I am discouraged.

Thank you for allowing me to keep house and train children differently

than you did, but thank you too for pointing out areas that I never

thought of. I need your input.”

God bless all mothers-in-law and give you wisdom for these new

relationships! - Iowa

Don’t be too stressed by this “challenge” – it is a pleasurable situation!

Here are a few guidelines: Don’t give advice unless it is asked for. Do let

her know that you are willing to help if there is anything she needs help

with. And do let her know about special events, such as when you are

ordering peaches, or going to pick cherries or berries. Invite her to go

along to yard sales with you, or on a special shopping trip, but try not to

make her feel obligated to go along. “Do unto others” applies here.

And if you are unsure about a given situation, ask her husband, your

son, for his advice. Being a mother-in-law neighbor is a wonderful

privilege; enjoy it! - State withheld

What helped your own mother-in-law relationship to blossom will

probably be your help! Giving space and not sizing up everything done

in the new home is helpful. - Pennsylvania

Question : I am looking forward to being both a mother-in-law and

neighbor to my son’s wife after their upcoming wedding. But, if you

can imagine, I can’t help trembling a bit, too. I do so want to be a

helpful – not hawkish – mother-in-law. I hope I can find that fine

balance between relating too much and too little. Maybe some

experienced mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have advice to

share.

If you have access to Family Life, the September 2009 “Problem Corner”

addresses this very question. The January 2007 issue had a title “In

Mother-in-Law’s Shadow.” Also there was a story with approximately

eight parts, titled “Tangled Threads.” If you read these along with the

reader’s comments, you will have many answers to endeavor to put

into practice. And so will your son’s wife.

You may have heard the saying, “Choose your love; love your

choice.” Your son chose. Encourage him to love his wife. Encourage

him to make contact regularly with his father- and brothers-in-law to

better understand his wife’s frame of reference, especially where

distance is involved. Your daughter-in-law should not have to make all

the connections with her home. It sounds like your son and his wife

should have no excuses as far as keeping contact with you!

There is, after all, more than one right way of doing things!

“If somebody’s habits seem irksome to you,

Those wearying things that they say and do,

Go put on your glasses – your glasses of love…

Ah…what a transforming, such changing of scenes.

The blurring has vanished, true character gleams.”

Expect as much or more from your own daughters. - Ohio

First let me say that I have a pearl of a mother-in-law! Years ago, she

was the daughter-in-law. We discussed your question…one thing she

said was don’t compete with each other. Who cares who gets their

wash out first, or who has the nicest flowerbeds? I thought of how she

often remembers birthdays and anniversaries; that’s special to us. We

enjoy impromptu meals together – the other night we made ice cream

and invited them over for dessert. Last summer I was so sick with Baby

on the way. Guess who cheerfully did all she could for us?

Finally, think of binoculars. When you look in the narrow end things

come up close…use that to look at her good points. And if you look at

her faults, be sure to look through the wide end.

Wishing you many happy times together! - Ohio

To My Other Mother You are the mother I received The day I wed your son, And I just want to thank you, Mom, For the loving things you’ve done. You’ve given me a gracious man With whom I share my life.

You are his lovely mother And I his happy wife. You used to pat his little head And now I hold his hand You raised in love a little boy And then gave me the man.

⇨ If you have accepted your special needs child, you will be willing to help him reach his full potential and yet you will gracefully accept that

he may never go as far as others his age. You won’t feel the need to be

constantly talking about it, nor hounding the school teachers to fit him

in a regular classroom, or pushing him so hard beyond his limits that he

can’t enjoy life. You won’t feel compelled to be apologetic about his

limitations.

As an example of parents who had accepted their child’s

handicap, I think of the time that I was a young married hostess one

Sunday some years ago. Of course, I was a little unsure in this role – and

wouldn’t you know, some strangers from across the country showed up

in church that morning. They were on an anniversary trip and they had

their young teenage special needs daughter along. I was so impressed

with that couple! They lingered on after most of the other company

had left, except my married sister, and the mother shared very openly with my sister and me about her daughter. She answered questions we

were too shy to ask, and explained her daughter’s problems as well as

her own struggles to come to grips with it. She said she wouldn’t have

been able to talk like this without crying a few years ago – but by now

she had been able to accept that this was God’s plan for them and

their daughter. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that lady; she impresses me

still as someone who had given up her own desires and accepted

God’s will, even though it wasn’t what she would have chosen.

I admire parents who relate to their special children without

embarrassment, self-pity or apology. And I realize it is a journey – you

probably won’t arrive at this level of acceptance in the first year.

Just one more note – perhaps you should not assume too quickly

that those people who are gushy and call your child “baby” don’t

accept him. Many people feel ill-at-ease around someone who is

“different” and are not sure how to relate to them. Perhaps they are

merely trying a bit too hard to cover up their own uncertainty. - Massachusetts

Question ④: This question is two-fold… (1) To parents of special needs

children: what do you kindly tell someone who says, “Just accept

them as they are” when you’re doing your best (not that we don’t

need gentle reminders)? How do you explain that sometimes it makes

it a great deal harder when it seems obvious that they themselves and

their children do not accept our child (by being gushy, calling them

“baby”, assuming they don’t understand, etc…)? (2) To the rest of you

looking on: what does “accept” mean to you? What makes you think

we don’t accept our child?

Question ③ will be covered in the next issue, due to space constraints.

⇨ If it is someone you know well, you could ask them, “Are there things you think I should be doing differently in accepting her?” If they call her

“Baby” maybe you could gently remind them she's not a baby, or if

they ask you a question the child could answer, maybe you could ask

the child herself and then translate her answer if they can't understand.

You don't want to be rude, and I'm not sure if I'd have the courage to

tell them they're not accepting my child, but maybe they can

gradually learn some new ways of relating to the child.

As far as accepting your child, I'm sure you love her and are

doing the best you can. Maybe if you talk about all the work she

causes or how fussy she is, it makes people think you don't accept her.

Yet I have friends with special needs children and if I ask them how

it's going, I don't want just a glib answer, I really want to know. How else

can I try to understand what you are going through?

Accepting a child shows in what you are willing to do for therapy

for the child as soon as possible to help them as much as possible. It is

spending money and time that you hardly have to do the best for the

child. You would spend it on medicine and operations for a sick child,

why not for this? Accepting your child shows in ways like teenage boys

carrying their Downs baby sister while on a walk with their friends. It

touched my heart to see that already. If their parents hadn't accepted

the child, they would have been ashamed to identify with their sister. I

would say, just do the best you can with God's help and try not to worry

about what others say or if they are accepting your child or not. - State Withheld

(1) Perhaps you could return a smile and answer, “That is just what we

are doing. God gave us this child, and we love him/her very much.” And gently direct their thoughts to reality… “He isn’t really much of a

baby anymore; he understands a lot of what you are saying.” (2)

Maybe those who say “just accept” are not implying that you are not accepting, but are thinking of what a challenge it would be for them to

be accepting of a special needs child. - New Jersey

⇨ How do you get a two-year-old to cry quietly? If you have told him to

quiet down and he doesn’t obey, then that calls for discipline.

Personally we feel that there normally is no need for loud crying. It ’s one

thing if they are hurt badly and it’s hard for them to stop crying. On the other hand it does not help the hurt to cry loudly. From personal

experience, a child who is crying loudly is often an angry child. Wisdom

from a grandfather – if the child is crying and crying for no good

reason, give them something to cry about – a spanking. There is one thing to teach a child, and that is cheerful submission. May God bless

mothers (and fathers) with wisdom and patience! - State withheld

⇨ It probably would be good to teach them as a baby to cry quietly and then not long. They catch onto more than we think they can! Just tell

them "quiet" or "sh-h-h" and if they don't stop, spank. If that doesn't help,

repeat the process and they'll soon learn. I think in the long run you'll

end up with a happier child (and mom!). - Texas

Yes, a 2-year-old needs to cry quietly. If you don't allow them to

scream and cry too much when you spank them, they will learn to cry

quietly. It takes some discipline, like several firm swats, to let them know

not to cry so loudly even when they hurt themselves a little. Hopefully

you won't have to punish them if they are really hurt, but a reminder to

cry quietly usually works then, too. - Colorado

“We mutter and sputter, we fume and we spurt. We mumble and grumble; our feelings get hurt. We can’t

understand things; our vision grows dim – when all that we need is a moment with Him.”

Question ⑤: How do you get a two-year-old to cry quietly? Or is that

something we should not require? Do you spank for crying loudly?

New Questions…

1. I would like to use cloth diapers, but whenever I try, my baby gets a bad

diaper rash. Does anyone have a solution?

2. My husband and I are wondering how much we should allow our

children to imagine. Our 3-year-old has a very active imagination and

will tell story after story of things he “did” such as working in the field

and how his tractor broke and what he had to do, or who helped him.

He also loves to pretend that people come and sometimes when I'm

working he'll say “Mom, Grandma's here” (or anybody he wants to

pretend) and he likes me to come “meet” her and let her come in and

carry on a conversation like she's here. Our question is: if we allow all

this now, when do you decide it's a lie or just pretending? We would

love to hear from others that experience the same thing, or any advice.

3. How can we help our children overcome “inherited” weaknesses? More

specifically, how can a mother help her young children overcome a

severe anger problem when their father is not having victory in this?

4. (This question from last month is deferred to the next issue due to space

constraints – thanks for all your responses!)

Is there an answer for a 13-year-old who can’t sleep? It’s especially a

problem if there is school the next day or any big event out of the

ordinary. We’ve tried patience, prayer, talking, reassuring her fears,

counting, writing exercises, reading, herbal relaxants, etc… to no avail.

Finally at 1:00 A.M. one really bad night, my husband got very stern with her and told her the next time she comes upstairs he would have a

meeting in the garage with her and it would hurt (a spanking). She soon

fell asleep. He was really hoping he wouldn’t have to carry out his word,

but was desperate enough that he would have. Is spanking the

answer? She hasn’t had a spanking in a long time. Will it make it so she

fears to come to us the night she wants to become a Christian or has a

real problem? She is the fearful, worrying type. Or would it teach her to

discipline her mind against worrying and help her to relax herself? We

don’t want to do the wrong thing, but are ready to help her over this as

it has been going on for approximately three years. It is making her life

miserable and ours less than ideal.

Please respond with answers by August 15, 2010.

Does this sound familiar?

Why I Love Mom...

Mom and Dad were reading in the living room when Mom said,

“I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed.”

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches, rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for

supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the

sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the

coffee pot for brewing the next morning.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes

into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up

the game pieces left on the table and put the telephone book back into

the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up

a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She

stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some

cash for the field trip, and pulled a textbook out from hiding under the

chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped

the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both

near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with 3-in-1 cleanser, brushed and

flossed her teeth, and trimmed her nails. Dad called out, “I thought you

were going to bed.”

“I'm on my way,” she said. She put some water into the dog's dish

and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked. She

looked in on each of the children and turned out a bedside lamp, hung

up a shirt, threw some dirty socks in the hamper and had a brief

conversation with the one up still doing homework. In her own room, she

set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day and straightened up the

shoe rack. She added three things to her “Six most important things to do”

list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad laid down his book and announced to no one in

particular. “I'm going to bed.” And he did...without another thought.

Across My

Kitchen Table…

What is more appealing than

hot, fresh-from-the-oven pizza?

And there’s no need to be

bored with your old standby –

try one of these variations for a

change of pace! For next time,

we’d like your favorite grilling

recipes. Send them by August 15, 2010.

Cocktail Pizza Wheels ½ sweet red pepper

½ cup pepperoni, finely

chopped

½ cup grated cheese -

provolone or mozzarella

1 tsp. oregano or basil

1 pkg. (397 g.) frozen puff pastry,

thawed, or pizza dough

All purpose flour

1/3 cup spaghetti or pizza sauce

Cut pastry into two squares and roll out. Spread sauce over both pieces,

leaving ½ inch border along the top. Lightly brush border with water.

Sprinkle the rest of the ingredients over the squares. Roll up each piece

tightly, forming two pinwheel logs. Using a serrated knife, slice logs into ½

inch thick rounds. Place on baking sheets about one inch apart. Bake till

golden. Serve hot or at room temperature. Yields about 40 wheels. These

may also be made ahead. Prepare the logs, but don’t bake. Wrap tightly

with plastic wrap, then foil. Refrigerate overnight or freeze up to two weeks. Before baking, thaw for about 30 minutes, then slice and bake.

Ham and cheese as a filling is also scrumptious!

Beulah VanPelt, OH

Pizza Dough 1 pkg. yeast (1 Tbsp.)

1 cup warm water

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2½ cups flour

Dissolve yeast in water; add sugar, salt, and oil. Add flour and mix well.

Cover and let rise about 5 minutes. Grease pan, flour fingers, and spread

crust. Add pizza sauce and toppings. Bake at 425° for 18-20 minutes. I also

use this recipe for the dough in “Cocktail Pizza Wheels.”

Beulah VanPelt, OH

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Your favorite pizza crust

1 cup buffalo wing sauce,

divided

1½ cups shredded cheddar

cheese

1½ cups shredded mozzarella

cheese

2 lbs. chopped cooked chicken

½ tsp. garlic salt

½ tsp. pepper

½ tsp. chili powder

2 Tbsp. butter

½ tsp. oregano

Place pizza crust on 15x10 inch baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes.

Brush dough with approx. 3 Tbsp. buffalo wing sauce. Combine cheeses;

sprinkle about 1/3 over sauce. Set aside. Combine chicken, garlic salt,

pepper, chili powder and remaining wing sauce and heat through. Spoon

over cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and remaining cheese. Bake for 20

minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese

dressing, if desired. If you like hot buffalo wings, you will love this pizza!

Mary Beth Martin, MA

Pizza Crust 2 cups warm water

1 Tbsp. yeast

2 Tbsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. oil

1¼ tsp. salt

6-7 cups flour

Stir together first three ingredients. Let set a few minutes. Add oil, salt, and

4 cups of flour. Stir till well blended. Add remaining flour and knead. Cover

and let rise for 20 minutes. Divide into 2 or 3 balls, depending on the size of

your pizza pans. Roll dough out and place on greased pans. Spread with sauce and toppings. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Gwen Weaver, PA

Reuben Pizza Your favorite pizza crust

2/3 cup Thousand Island dressing

8 oz. deli corned beef, chopped

1 can (14 oz.) sauerkraut,

well drained

2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Place crust on pizza pan. Spread with salad dressing. Layer with corned

beef and sauerkraut; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted. This one is definitely

different, but try it before you say “ugh!”

Mary Beth Martin, MA

“Pizza Hut” Pizza Crust #11 1/3 cups warm water

1 Tbsp. honey

1½ Tbsp. oil

½ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. garlic salt

½ tsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. instant yeast

3¼ - 3½ cups bread flour

Mix yeast with flour and add to rest of ingredients. Beat until it is well

kneaded. Let rise until double; punch down. Oil two large cast iron skillets. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. of cornmeal into each skillet. Divide dough in half. Press

into skillets. Bake at 475° until golden.

Elfreda Showalter, NM

“Pizza Hut” Pizza Crust #2 Stir until bubbly and foamy:

2 Tbsp. yeast

2/3 c. warm water

2 tsp. sugar

Add:

2 c. warm water

3 Tbsp. oil

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. garlic salt

½ tsp. oregano

6-7 cups flour

Let rise and spread on pizza pans. Will make two large thicker-crust pizzas

or three thinner crusts.

Stephanie Leinbach, IN

Zucchini Pizza 4 cups shredded zucchini

1 onion, chopped

½ pepper, chopped (opt.)

1 cup Bisquick

4 large eggs

½ cup oil

1 tsp. parsley or basil

½ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

Mix together well. Pour into a greased 8"x10" baking pan. Bake at 350° for

35 minutes. Spread with 6 oz. of pizza sauce. Top with meat (browned

hamburger or sausage, diced ham or lunch meat ends or pepperoni).

Finish baking. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and return to oven until

cheese is melted. When zucchini is in season I grate it, along with onions

and peppers, and put enough for one recipe in quart ziploc freezer bags

and freeze it. Then we can enjoy Zucchini Pizza all year!

Jolene Martin, PA

Strawberry Pizza Crust:

½ cup melted butter

1 3/8 cups flour

¾ cup sugar

1 egg

Mix together and then add:

1 tsp. cream of tartar

½ tsp. baking soda

Press onto an 11x17-inch pan. Bake at 350° until starting to brown. DO

NOT OVERBAKE! When cool add next layers.

Whip together:

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)

1/3 cup sugar

8 oz. cool whip (or less)

Spread on crust. Top with Danish.

Danish mix for top:

½ cup clear jell (cooked or

instant works)

1 cup sugar

1 pkg. strawberry Kool-Aid

Use ¾ cup of this mix to 2 cups water. Boil until thickened (unless using

instant). Cool and add a quart of strawberries. Spread over top.

Stephanie Leinbach, IN

Our Favorite Pizza Crust 1¼ cups warm water

1 envelope active dry yeast

1 tsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. oil

1 tsp. salt

3½ cups flour

1. Place ¼ cup warm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast over water; stir

in sugar. Let stand 5 minutes. Add remaining water, oil and salt. Stir in flour

until dough pulls away from side of bowl. (I like to use my Kitchen Aid mixer

as you can do it all without kneading it by hand.)

2. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, 8-10

minutes. Coat large bowl with cooking spray; place dough in bowl,

turning to grease top. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm

place until almost double in size, about 45 minutes. 3. Preheat oven to 450°. Punch down dough. Coat two 12-inch pizza pans

with cooking spray. Divide dough in half. Bake crust for 10 minutes.

4. Add sauce and toppings of your choice and bake until the cheese is

melted.

(Helpful hint - the secret to rolling or pressing pizza dough into the pan is to

let it rest for 10 minutes after it is about half the size needed. Then it will

easily stretch the rest of the way. This does really work.)

Eileen Reinford, VT

Pizza Burgers 1 lb. ground beef

1 cup pizza sauce

½ lb. grated American cheese

1 small onion, chopped

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Hamburger buns or

English muffins

Sauté ground beef and onion till meat is no longer pink. Add soup and

pizza sauce. Cool before adding cheese. Spread on halves of buns. Place under broiler in oven until cheese is bubbly and edges of buns are

toasted.

Doreen Burkholder, PA

BBQ Chicken Pizza Crust:

2 Tbsp. yeast

1 cup warm water

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp oil

2½-3 cups bread flour

Mix everything together and let rise 10 minutes or longer on a greased

cookie sheet. Roll out and bake at 425° for 10 minutes. Spread crust

with BBQ sauce and spread with cooked chicken pieces. Layer

shredded mozzarella cheese on top and sprinkle pineapple chunks on

top of all. (I usually put on the amount I would of pepperoni on a

regular pizza.) Bake till hot and enjoy.

I like to make 2 pizza crusts when I make pizza and put the one in

the freezer. I can my own chicken and so it makes for a very quick last

minute supper!

LuAnn Horst, OH

Extra! (Your family will never suspect zucchini to be in these bars!)

Zucchini Brownies

1 cup butter, softened

1½ cups sugar

2 eggs

½ cup plain yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla

2½ cups flour

¼ cup cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

2 cups shredded zucchini

Frosting:

2/3 cup chocolate chips ½ cup creamy peanut butter

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and beat well. Mix in remaining

ingredients, adding zucchini last. Bake in a greased 9x13 pan, at 350° for

35-40 minutes. For frosting, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter

together until smooth. Spread over warm brownies.

Rosemary Hess, MA

Did I bake those cakes for Johnny When he asked for them today?

Did I stop and play with Richard When he held those lions at bay?

Did Lester’s story bore me As he followed to and fro?

And did I answer rather curtly Things I felt a child should know?

Time is fleeting, time is passing, My boys are growing up today.

I shall look at empty yards tomorrow And wonder why I did not play.

There’ll be a time for things I yearn for,

Time when they have gone away. I’ll stop my sewing and cease my reading,

Just be a boy with them today. - Wanda Burrell

a child’s plea · 2018. 10. 1. · a child’s plea i am a little child… small; weak and...

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