“Grandma, will you tell Brenna that Santa Clause isn’t real!” What?!!! I thought to myself. May I say in two seconds, I had at least 4 different answers to this timely question spinning in my mind. This is a job for super-grandma, Lord help me!, because Brenna is not my granddaughter, although she is my grandsons’ cousin on the other side. What did she know, what had been talked about, what would her parents want me to say, wow! I do believe that “honesty is the best policy,”

Much to grandpa’s dismay, the grandchildren refer to our home as Grandma’s House.  He wonders why it is never Grandpa’s House, because it’s his home too.  I have my theory, but grandpa does, from time to time, attempt to get the attention directed to him.  Grandpa can be quite a tease and is tolerated by his little sweeties better at times than others.  One day, when the teasing went on a little longer than the 5 year old grandson thought it should, he asked, “Why did you mar

With suitcase packed, and pen and paper ready and waiting, I left for a week’s vacation with my youngest daughter, son in-law, and 3 grandchildren. A Grandma’s Point of View spectacular! My first of several life applications came as we were in line for the Safari ride at Animal Kingdom at Disney World. While passing a TV (one of many mounted to the ceiling), which was continually playing information about the ride and the purpose for conservation and saving the animal environ

My youngest grandson is 17 months old and beginning to talk. He has two older siblings, so there is never a time in each day that he does not observe or hear adult conversation or interaction. He knows and says the word for many body parts. He knows all the farm animals and the sounds they make. Some of his sounds are better than the real thing, at least Grandma thinks so. He has not developed selective hearing yet and can instantly repeat your words, whether he actually know

The question: “Grandma, is it my turn to spend the night with you?” gets asked in my presence quite often these days. Why? The reasons have not changed from my generation to the present. (1) It was a short trip, so if I changed my mind, home was not far away; (2) It gave me a break from my mother, and I now understand mom got a break from me; (3) I usually went to grandma’s by myself, which happens occasionally with my grandchildren, but can be difficult because God has bless

My daughter and son-in-law recently went on a 3 day hunting trip to Oklahoma. Their children are 7, 5, and 3. The children’s care for the 3 days was well planned in advance, and the children were looking forward to visiting and staying with different family members, with my husband and I receiving the first and last assignment. For the two older ones, the time went fast, but for Avery, the 3 year old, not so much. I got reports from the other caregivers that Avery was not eat

Anyone who has small children or grandchildren (sometimes older, yikes!), knows that we cannot always be responsible for what words might come from their innocent mouths. Most of the time though, they are just repeating what they have heard from adults, their siblings, or from what they hear and watch on TV. Many times they don’t even understand what they are referring to and can actually be cute, if it is the first time and not too bad. However, when it isn’t so good, they m

When we were expecting our 8th grandchild, I had the privilege of going with my daughter to an ultrasound appointment. I could not tire watching the screen! As the paddle was moved around, I was able to see baby’s body parts that were recognizable, such as spine, hands, and beating heart, and then those images that were only speculations. He kicked, turned over, sucked his thumb and even appeared to wave. What a joy! The ultrasound technology is quite an invention, necessary

Traveling in a car with an older grandchild is a gift. They can sit in the front seat beside you and we can just talk or be a good listener if needed. It had been Halloween a few days before and my 11 year old granddaughter began to tell me of her haunted house adventure. One of the classes at our high school had put it together as a money making project. She had never been to a haunted house and she was excited to tell me what had gone on. In my heart I wished she had not go

While cuddling my 3 yr. old granddaughter, she suddenly sat up and began to feel my arm, then my neck and belly. In a true and honest voice she said, “Grandma, you are jiggley.” In the next 2 seconds, I had several thoughts go through my mind, but my response to this precious child was, “yes, you are right; I’m jiggle.” After a short and painful conversation about why this might be, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God loves me as I am, but I do provide a place for Him to liv

My four year old granddaughter has learned to ride her bike! One sunny spring day, as she began her ride down a long driveway, I reminded her that the rock was rough and that she would need to look forward, not back, as I was following her in my car. I encouraged her to focus on pedaling and steering and then repeated the famous last words “be careful and don’t get hurt!” With a big smile on her sweet face, she started her journey. Spinning the back tire with the strength and

Grand Opening for Hope Chest a Huge Success The Grand Opening for the newly established “Hope Chest” Thrift Store on August 13th was an awesome success, as people flooded the store to find a bargain. After shopping, they enjoyed a free lunch of hot dogs, chips, a cold drink, and kettle korn. You couldn’t have ordered a more perfect day. The store operates under the umbrella of New Hope Counseling Center, with proceeds helping to fund the local charity. The Hope Chest opened u

New Hope’s Rummage Mania – Another Great Year! The calm before the storm. New Hope Counseling Center wishes to express a big Thank You , to everyone who helped make Rummage Mania another incredible success. As always, we were abundantly blessed by the outpouring of items. Hundreds of people and dozens of families were blessed because of the generosity of people who live in this area and the surrounding counties. Tables of Treasures We heard words of praise and thankfulness f

Bible Reading Marathon 2016 Final preparations for the Bible Reading Marathon occurred on June 29, 2016 at the Centerville Square at 8:00 p.m. There were twelve people who prayer walked around the square with many of the participants walking around the square seven times as did the Israelites around the Walls of Jericho. We were met with many questioning and apprehensive looks from the Centerville residents who spend a lot of time on the square during the night hours. We pra

We are so excited to announce that the Hope Chest Thrift Store is finally OPEN! We officially opened June 8, but will invite everyone to a big bash Grand Opening to celebrate all the hard work that went into making this dream a reality on Saturday, August 13th. For well over a year now, incredible Volunteers have been pouring every free minute into a major remodel job, which included building walls, built-in shelving, a dressing room, painting, and wall treatments, installing

Dear  Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12 A historic event is taking place all across Iowa that will give all of us an opportunity to publicly “magnify” the only inspired Word of God.  You are invited to participate in the Iowa 99 County Bible Re

It should have been no surprise that God had His sovereign hand all over the Fundraising Painting results (donated by famous artist Shawna Lewellen). Mark Cahill (a pretty famous Christian author and speaker) won the high bid at a little over $500, as he wanted us at New Hope to choose the subject matter of the painting—because he is donating it back to us!! There are cool connections between Shawna and New Hope, between Mark Cahill and New Hope, and between Mark and Shawna.

The fundraiser was: A Silent Auction on Shawna’s Facebook Page: Shawna Lewellen Art Bidding began April 1st – Bids were placed by private messaging Shawna (by clicking on “Message” along bottom of her cover photo) – Bidding Deadline was EXTENDED TO April 18th at Midnight! Highest Bid winner is a cool story! More details on that coming soon! Winning Bidder receives  30×20 oil painting or pastel piece in their choice of subject matter: family portrait, favorite animal, favori

Tremendous Turnout! New Hope Counseling Center wishes to express a big Thank You, to everyone who helped make Rummage Mania an incredible success in 2015. As always, we were overwhelmed by the outpouring from the people in this community. Your giving blessed hundreds of people and dozens of families. We heard many words of praise from people who were in need. One of our workers heard a little girl who got several stuffed animals say, “This is the best day ever!” It puts a lum

For a larger view of the text, follow the link below: Fall 2012 Newsletter