Beautiful Inspiration

Mandie & The Forgotten Christmas
A Movie Review {Review by Bethany}

Description :: Thrust into the unfamiliar world of boarding school, Mandie finds herself plagued by rules and regulations---and constantly in trouble with the headmistress, Miss Heathwood. Taking refuge in the school's attic, she stumbles upon a mystery that could unlock memories of a long-forgotten Christmas. But is Mandie willing to lie to find out the truth? 107 minutes.{Taken from Christian Book Distributors} Rating: G

I have seen the other two Mandie movies and really enjoyed them, as did my siblings. So when I heard about the new Christmas movie we waited until the library had it and eagerly brought it home and watched it together!

However when we finished the movie I was honestly a bit discouraged and disappointed. The thing that struck me strongest was that Mandie lied once, and then continued to lie to cover the previous lie, and in the end she is justified for lying and it makes one seem as if lying wasn't such a bad thing. Lying is obviously such a bad thing in Christs; eyes that He told everyone not to do it and put it in the Ten Commandments and the movie seemed to lower that standard. There were references to God and two praying scenes, but this makes it all the more sad that the character prays for guidance and then chooses to lie and then to continue to lie and consider it God's guidance. 

But on the positive side this movie was a sweet Christmas movie about helping others no matter the cost. Other than the lying and a few rule breaking scenes, there wasn't anything else I didn't agree with. The movie was sweet however it not really one I'd want to watch again. I found that after watching the movie I felt it easier to disobey or disrespect my parents since I'd seen the character do these things many times in the movie...so this is one thing to think about before watching this movie. Overall I give it 2 out of 5 stars.

~*~

Today Miss Elizabeth, whom most of you know from Joyful Jewels 4 Jesus blog as well as Septembers feature for our monthly interview {Read the interview HERE!}, has submitted a Christmas article in hopes that it would be an encouragement to you! Elizabeth has been such an encouragement to both Johanna and I and we are most pleased that she was willing to share with you all today. Thank you Elizabeth and may the rest of you enjoy and be blessed! ~Bethany

My skirt rustles as I hurriedly skip up the stairs and clip back my locks of hair into a big jaw clip. Grabbing my camera and tying on my striped apron, streaked with remnants of recent baking endeavors, I begin. My warm sweater is now laid on my chair, not wanting to spoil it with the flour that now dusts around the mixer and the sprinkles of ingredients, some of them unhealthy, so I wince. Later, as I finish up putting the last dishes in the washer, wipe the counter clean, I am surrounded by cooling cookies and treats, and the delicious aroma wafting through the air…and am anticipating sharing them with others.

{Miss Elizabeth in the snow}
…

            Scrumptious winter-y treats are almost always a delight –but even more so when shared! Some ideas for blessing others and sharing the love of Christ:

Baking goodies for times with other brothers and sisters in Christ (the above scenario was when I was baking some for our upcoming chapel’s kids choir practice)  

Package up some treats with ribbon and a scrap booked or typed tag with Scripture or tract & deliver to neighbors and/or extended family. (Around Thanksgiving last year we went around with baskets of homemade pumpkin bread to our neighbors and it was a neat opportunity. We wrapped and brought into a bow chunky strands of yarn around the plastic-wrapped loaves.) 

Some Christian homeless places often welcome treats for their meals with open arms and gratefulness.

Here are two special recipes that I would be delighted to share with you:

. M&M Cookies .

Blend together:

1/2 c. Crisco

1/2 c. Brown Sugar

Beat in, one ingredient at a time:

1/4 c. Granulated Sugar

1/2 t. Vanilla

1/4 t. Water

1 Egg

Sift and Add:

1 cup and 2 tablespoons Flour

1/2 t. Baking Soda

1/2 t. Salt

Mix well. Stir in 3/4 cup M&Ms (Christmas colored for Christmas). Drop from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press 3-4 M&Ms into each cookie dough ball. Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until slightly golden brown.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies. Enjoy!

Note: We usually make a 4x batch (10 dozen!) if we are bringing cookies to a lot of places.

 . Chocolate Pretzel Delights .

you will need // pretzels // rolo chocolates // M&Ms or other //

step 1) Place pretzels on a pan (lined with parchment paper…sprayed with cooking spray if you don’t have parchment paper)

step) Unwrap rolo chocolates and place one in the

center of each pretzel.

step 3) Bake at 250 degrees for around 4 minutes, checking often. Chocolate should be soft, not melted.

step 4) Take out of oven and press colored M&M, chocolate chip or pecan in centers while chocolate is still soft. Take off cookie sheet and put on wax paper. Let cool and harden overnight or for a few hours. Enjoy!

      As daughters, lessons can be learned in the kitchen, such as:

• Diligence in cleaning up after ourselves (especially a huge blessing to our moms!)
• Blessing others with the gifts God has given us
• Investing time in furthering our homemaking skills (Proverbs 31:17: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”)
• Learning to spend our dollars wisely. I am interested in couponing and have a long ways to go, but I love learning simple tips. Money Saving Mom is an excellent resource. Look for coupons or sales—bless your family!
•  Use it as an opportunity to be a bright witness for Christ. Conversation & tracts {Click HERE} (love this one by the Mally family) are wonderful!

 May the Lord bless you with sweet blessings as we serve Him together! Blessings as we rejoice together in our dear Savior’s birth!

-Psalm 34:8-

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

With Joy in our Savior,

Elizabeth

{Elizabeth is a young lady who loves the Lord with her heart and is learning to trust His perfect timing and plan for her life. Her life is pleasantly full and she thanks the Lord for that! God’s Word, journals, music, family, handmade creations, the color blue, photos and most of all...her Savior, the Lord Jesus, are a few things she loves. Her website is: www.joyfuljewels4jesus.blogspot.com}