Are you looking for an inexpensive, nice, fun Christmas gift to make?  Maybe one of these will be just what you’re looking for!  Have fun! :)
 
Soap by Sharon
Buy melt and mold soap base and cut off a small section that will be easy to work with.  Cut into small chunks.  Put the soap chunks into a microwave safe bowl and melt in the microwave for 15 seconds.  Stir and melt 15 seconds again until fully melted.  Add soap coloring of your choice and a scent you like.  Stir.  Pour in to your mold and let cool.  When it is completely set and cool, pop it out of the mold.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  These make wonderful presents.  Grandmothers especially like the wonderful smell and feel of this soap.  Enjoy!!
 
Coat Hangers by Tiffany
Get a wired coat hanger that is not bent. :)  At Wal-Mart on the crafts section you can find a bag of Craft loops by “Create A Craft”.  (The directions may be on the back of the bag.)  Join the loops to make continuous yarn, and then when you have what you think is long enough, wrap it around the coat hanger.  Where the hanging part goes, use one loop to make a bow at the top.  These are so pretty!! 
 
Potholders by Tiffany
At Wal-Mart on the craft aisle you can find a potholder making set.  It has a loom and the craft loops.  Probably the kit will come with nylon loops, but when you are done with those, the cotton loops are much bigger and nicer.  Follow the directions on the box.  Try making a pattern when weaving such as all white across, and then pink and purple across.  Or for Christmas, red intertwined with green.  These make great gifts for moms and grandmothers.  Even younger kids can do them, with the help of a big sister or their mommy. Have fun!! 
 
Creative Gift Ideas by Cheryl

1. Soup or soup mix- “Wishing you a ‘souper’ Christmas!”
2. Wire whisk-(filled with Chocolate kisses) “We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!”
3. Christmas Tray- “We ‘Tray’sure your friendship.  Merry Christmas!”
4. Measuring Cup- “Wishing you joy beyond measure!”
5. Flowers- “You make friendship bloom all year. Merry Christmas!”
6. Bananas- “If we could chose our friends, and searched the whole world through, we’d go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!  Merry Christmas!”
7. Candle- “May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright!”
8. Filled Basket- “Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings!”

August 2001~Volume 1, Number 5

Darling Virtuous Daughters,
 
I wanted to encourage you in the area of Bible reading. I know that it may seem impossible at times to have a daily quiet time, but oh how important it is! The more time we spend in the Word, the more we realize how much we need it in every area of our lives. Just as our physical food nourishes our physical body and keeps it alive and growing, the Bible is our spiritual food that keeps us nourished and growing in Christ. Our heavenly Father wants us to be utterly dependent on Him, and to depend on Him, we must know Him, and to know Him, we must read His Word. If it is a struggle for you to get this habit formed, you might try this: have someone hold you accountable. Ask someone to ask you every day if you had your quiet time that day. Or another way is to tell yourself in the morning that you must have your spiritual food before you have your physical food (breakfast). Another thing to remember, girls, is that when we pray, it is a way to talk to God, and when we read His Word it is a way to listen to God. May the Lord bless each of you as you learn many things in His Word.

Darling Virtuous Daughters,

​For most girls, talking comes easily.  Praying is just talking to our Heavenly Father.  My favorite prayers to learn from were David’s because he candidly prayed from his heart to his Father.  I think of how he spent so much time alone caring for his earthly father’s sheep, yet he was never really alone.  He had the best companionship that anyone can have.  I have learned from the prayers of David that I can share from the depths of my heart with my Father, He knows my thoughts, but why not take the time to share them with Him?  Girls, there is no one else who can be with you always, or love you so deeply as God.  Tell Him your every concern, your thankfulness, and ask His forgiveness when you’ve sinned.  The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.  Psalm 145:18  Won’t you spend some time right now talking to the Lord?

“Pray without ceasing.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It’s that time of the year again when we give thanks to our gracious Lord and Savior for all that He has done in our lives! Need some scrumptious recipes? Need a craft idea? What about a new tradition to start each Thanksgiving? Maybe these are some help to you! :)