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Godstruck Ministries 4 Kids is a children's music division of Godstruck Ministries, LLC,
owned and operated by Kim and Karen Langdon, 8180 Talon Ct, Falcon, CO 80831

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Special Annoucements

- Starting January 2016 our monthly
newsletter will be published bi-monthly

- To celebrate 1000+ Facebook fans, we
are providing a download to the song,
"The Knight Is Coming"
Words and Music by - Karen Langdon
Instrumental Arrangement by - Marty Hamby

October 2015 Newsletter





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Blessings Blog: Valuable!

My mother passed away many years ago and was outlived by my father for more than two decades. Because we were stationed overseas at the time, I was blessed not only to have a few weeks at home while Mom was in the hospital, but I also had several weeks after her death to spend with Dad. During that time, of course, we went through Mom’s clothes and personal items. But as with many bereaved spouses, Dad was not yet ready to part with his beloved’s belongings. I am smiling as I’m writing because when Dad became very ill and then departed for eternity, most of my mother’s things were still in the house and in the same space they had occupied those twenty-some years before. Wallets, purses, perfume, face cream, spices – you name it, they were all still there. It left my family and me with quite the experience the summer after Dad was gone. Just ask my daughters. They have told me in no uncertain terms to clear out and clean up before I head for my heavenly home.

Due to the impracticality of taking anything with me overseas and Dad’s sentimental feelings about Mom’s possessions, I did not depart with much when I finally had to go back to Germany, save for one thing. My mom had a nail file. It was large, metal and even discolored in some places. No question, however, that file could surely do a job on nails! Now I can just see all the salon professionals and nail techs cringing with that statement. I know, I know, natural nails are not supposed to be filed with something that unmerciful. I will apologize once for possibly offending nail specialists everywhere. But, when I am in a hurry, and that is most of the time, and my nails are looking too long and ragged, I can easily and nicely get them back into shape in a short amount of time.

I do carry Mom’s nail file with me when I travel, and sometimes I will bring it along on a car ride to take advantage of sitting in one place with nothing else to do. Even though it is relatively large, it is also thin and easy to mislay. Because of its sentimental and practical value to me, I have almost panicked when I’ve not been able to find it. Besides, both of my girls, especially my older daughter, have their eyes on that prize. Kelley is fully expecting to inherit what has become a family treasure when I’m no longer here, and I want to make sure it’s still around when I am not.

I would say quite certainly that we are the only ones who are so in love with this particular piece of metal. More than likely it was a dime store purchase back in the day, and its value is only what we have bestowed upon it. There is no outward appeal or beauty to it, nor at face value is it special in any way. But, I do often think of my mom when I use it, and I am truly thankful that I have it and I can employ it for something that makes me feel and look better, present-day ideas about nail grooming aside.

I see in the file an analogy to what holds true for many of us. We see nothing special about ourselves; we find no beauty in the mirror. We do not see ourselves as appealing. Essentially, we feel like a dime store purchase, and an expendable one at that. But, there is a God who views us quite differently. In His eyes we are valuable, beautiful, desirable. We have so much worth to Him that He paid a significant price to keep us with Him throughout eternity. He calls us into fellowship with Him, and gives our life meaning and purpose, using us in ways that sometimes we cannot imagine or that we would never expect.

The Bible tells us that these are the kind of people that God came to save: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,” (Luke 4:18-19 ESV). Not a very attractive and useful group of people, are they? But, that’s who we all are before we meet Jesus. We are poor in spirit, captive to sin, blind to the truth and oppressed by the enemy of our souls and our own fleshly nature. Even after conversion we can still feel the pull of the life we should have left behind. It is only as we give ourselves over to Christ that we truly can be used for the good of mankind and for God’s glory. Praise the Lord that He sees that potential and seeks to hold onto us and employ us in His service.

Yes, that nail file is a keeper, and God says we are too. While the file won’t go on into eternity, as nothing material in this world ever will, those who trust in the saving power of the Lord Jesus will be living to love and serve God forever. That surely causes us to be quite valuable – a rare treasure, not a dime store purchase!

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us,” (2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV).

Family Activity: Pamper Your Family

I would assume that all this talk of nails and files would lead us down the same thought trail: manicures and pedicures! I guess any male readers could also be thinking of a project using lumber, but we can save that for another activity time.

In spite of my uncultured use of a metal file for nail care, I am going to attempt to give some good steps for a fun night of manicures/pedicures in your home. Many people, ladies in particular, do have regular appointments at salons to pamper their hands and feet. But, how about treating the entire family to the experience and enjoying a very relaxing and therapeutic time together? Jesus washed his disciple’s feet. At the very least, He made foot washing a manly thing to do! So, if the full manicure/pedicure activity is not quite acceptable to the men in your family, washing and massaging hands and feet should be a pleasant experience for all. Bonus: Clean extremities! Families can choose all or part of the activities mentioned.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please be aware that the recommendations for cuticles and scrubs may be too much for delicate young hands and feet. Use good judgment as to who should receive the different treatments. Be vigilant to monitor children around a tub/pan of water. Kids adore water play and left unattended could choose to enjoy a soak on their own. Do not allow your child/children to be unsupervised in this activity!

For manicures/pedicures you will need:

  • Acetone-free nail polish remover for any polished nails
  • Cotton balls or pads
  • A paper towel
  • Nail clippers, nail scissors and/or a nail file (crystal preferred)
  • A buffing block
  • A plastic tub or pan for soaking and scrubbing
  • A mild moisturizing soap for soaking hands and feet (Epsom salt can be used for feet – see pedicure section)
  • Sugar scrub: one that is on the market, or make your own with sugar and an oil or gel *(see below)
  • Small towel for each family member
  • A pumice stone (pedicure)
  • Cuticle cream ˆ(make your own below)
  • A cuticle stick
  • A nice cream or moisturizer +(again, see the suggested recipe)
  • Nail polish (base, color and top coat)

If you would like to know a little bit more about essential oils and how you can order them for your family, please click here and Kelley Tuck would be glad to share information with you.

The Manicure:

Before attempting any other steps, be sure to remove any old nail polish from fingers using the polish remover. Work on a paper towel covered surface. Apply polish remover to a cotton ball or pad. Place the pad on one nail at a time, letting it sit for several seconds. Slide the cotton down the nail away from the hand. Repeat if necessary. Do the same on all painted fingers.

Do the cutting and filing next. A clipper or scissors can be carefully employed to start. If a nail file is used, continue to run the file across the nail in the same direction. Go slowly when you begin. For a simple style, create a rounded or oval shape.

Use the buffing block to smooth out the edge of the nail and to buff the face of the nail. These blocks are often labeled to direct step-by-step use. Buffing the face of the nail with the final buffing side will shine the nail nicely.

Now soak the hands for two to three minutes using a gentle liquid soap in warm water. Rub sugar scrub into the hands to scrub away dead skin cells. Use a nail brush to remove dirt from under the fingernails. Rinse hands and pat them dry with a towel.

Rub a bit of cuticle oil or cream on the cuticles to soften them. Push the cuticles back very gently with the cuticle stick, being careful not to break any skin.

Use a moisturizer, and massage the hands one at a time. (A recommended technique follows.) Use the nail polish remover once again to rid the nails of any residual oil.

Apply a thin coat of base to each nail.

Starting with the center of a nail, apply chosen polish by swiping down the center of the nail from the cuticle area to the tip. Then do each side. For best results, make each coat very thin! Make sure the manicure recipient keeps hands down and fingers slightly spread during the entire polishing process.
✪See tip below
.

Apply a second coat, if desired. Then apply a topcoat. Voila! Pretty nails.

✪As a family activity, it may be hard for little ones to sit and wait their turn for work on their hands and feet. Have them be helpers: children can be assistants in handing materials to the “nail tech/s” in your home. Also, little ones can wipe and dry hands and feet for the pampered family member and rub on some of the creams and lotions that are being used (provided they are not too young and tend to put hands in their mouth often and hand washing can be easily accomplished). Putting on Sing the Word or other songs to which they can sing along and perhaps doing some coloring pages would be helpful. As always, be discerning regarding your own children’s ages and stages of development. With older children, it would be nice to talk about your own family treasures that you may have in your home or that may still be in another family member’s possession. Be sure to mention that our best earthly treasures are the people in the family. And our best treasure of all is Jesus!

The Pedicure:

Doing a pedicure entails fairly much the same steps as a manicure, but the order is slightly different, and because feet can be a little more calloused, they need some extra soaking and rubbing to remove dead and hardened skin.

Remove any old polish as on the fingers with polish remover and cotton balls or cotton pads.

Soak feet in a solution of a basin of warm water and ½ cup Epsom salt, which is easy and inexpensive to purchase at any discount or grocery chain store. (If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before enjoying this soak.) It will pull toxins from the body and help to soften and deodorize feet. You may use a gentle moisturizing soap instead. Soak for about ten minutes.

Use a pumice stone on calloused and rough spots. Gently rub with the sugar scrub to remove remaining dead skin. Use a nail brush to scrub dirt out from under the nails. Rinse and dry.

Cut toenails using a toenail clipper. Make sure to leave white at the tip. Use a file or emery board to smooth the nail being careful to not round the nail too much to avoid in-grown toenails.

Use some of the cuticle oil/cream and put on each cuticle. Use the cuticle stick to gently push back cuticles. Dip and rinse feet once again. Dry thoroughly.

Use an over-the-counter foot cream or the recipe for body butter below to keep moisture in. Massage the feet (procedure below). Lightly wipe each toenail with polish remover to insure any oil is gone.

If you have one, use a toe spacer to keep toes apart, or use twisted tissues to help spread toes. Paint the nails as in the manicure instructions above starting with a base coat and progressing through the colored polish to a topcoat.

Massage:

Hand Massage, based on the AromaTouch Hand Technique as recommended by doTERRA International:

Start with the recipient’s hand palm down. Slather on the moisturizing lotion or the body butter (recipe below.) Place your hands with thumbs on top and fingers underneath the recipient’s one hand. At the top part of the hand beginning near the wrist, use gentle pressure and stretch the tissue by pulling from the center to each side several times. Turn the recipient’s hand over, palm-side up. Begin with the fleshy area above the thumb. Move your thumbs in a circular motion going side to side and down the hand, making sure to cover the entire area of the palm from near the wrist to the just above the fingers.

Next, walk the thumbs of both of your hands down five different paths, again beginning with the thumb side of the hand with the start point at the center of the wrist. Support the recipient’s hand with fingers underneath. Push with gentle pressure as thumbs walk all the way down the recipient’s thumb. Do this three times over the same area, and then move slightly to walk from the center wrist down the index finger. Follow the same pattern for each finger.

Use the thumbs and forefingers of both of your hands to pull the soft tissue between the recipient’s thumb and forefinger away from the wrist. Begin at the center of the palm. Use both of your hands to do this maneuver, alternating between the thumb and forefinger of the right and left hands so that the area is pulled three times. Do this same pull in the palm toward the spaces between each of the fingers.

As a final maneuver you can walk up and down each finger with your thumb and forefinger, ending with a gentle pull.

Repeat this procedure with the recipient’s other hand.

Foot Massage, based on the doTERRA foot massage technique as recommended by doTERRA International:

Choose one or two essential oils to use – lavender is nice for relaxing, peppermint to give an invigorating feel. Put a couple drops in the palm of your hand. Add a few drops of a carrier oil like coconut or grape seed oil.

To freshly clean feet, apply oils on the leg of the recipient from the calf down to the bottom of the foot, smoothing in as you go.

Do a thumb slide up toward the toes on the ball of the foot, repeating all the way across. Then move hands down and slide thumbs up the arch covering the entire area, and then in the same manner massage the heel. Repeat three times.

Do a thumb press using both thumbs starting at the ball area of the foot, moving all the way across. Move down, alternating thumbs as you go. Do the same for the arch and the heel. Repeat three times.

Do a thumb slide using both thumbs alternately, starting at the great toe and moving all the way down to the heel area. Go to the next toe and do the same. Do this for all five toes. Repeat tree times.

Do thumb slides from the ankle to the calf with medium pressure in short strokes, repeating three times. Do the thumb presses. Do long strokes with the thumbs from the ankle to the calf.

Massage down the leg to the toes to finish.

Repeat the massage on the recipient’s other foot and leg.

*Sugar Scrub:
If only a small amount is needed: Mix a tablespoon of sugar with one tablespoon of baby oil gel.

To make a larger amount: Use ¾ cup white or brown sugar, ½ cup Fractionated Coconut Oil, and 12 drops of essential oils; choose one oil, or do a mix.

ˆCuticle Cream: Two simple ingredients make this soothing and softening balm. Add 1 drop of lavender essential oil to 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil. Put into a small jar. It will harden as it cools.

+Moisturizing Cream:
Back in January we recommended making a simple body butter to use and to share with others. This will work well to moisturize the hands using natural ingredients, so we are just repeating the recipe here.

Homemade Body Butter

What you will need:

A mixer with a whisk attachment; a handheld type will work, but a stand mixer is better

Body Butter ingredients:

  • 1 cup of coconut oil in its solid state
  • 1 tsp. of vitamin E oil (Can be expensive, therefore optional, but worth it)
  • °A few drops of a favorite-fragranced essential oil (We tried 8 drops of wild orange oil, and we used about 3/8 tsp. pure vanilla extract)
  • A sturdy spoon to take the coconut oil out of its original container
  • A one-cup measuring cup for solids
  • Measuring spoons
  • Plastic spoon(s)
  • Small glass jars
  • Labels and coloring/decorating tools (Create on the computer if desired)

Put all the body butter ingredients in a mixing bowl and whip on high for about 5 minutes. Scrape bowl. Continue to whip for another 3-5 minutes. The product should look like whipped cream when finished.

Use spoons to fill the jars. Body butter will thicken and become firmer with time. To keep it sanitary, only remove the butter with a clean plastic spoon rather than fingers. Avoid introducing water into the butter. Keep the body butter in a cool place.

°Coconut oil has its own distinct fragrance, which may not be fully masked. Use up to ten drops of essential oils for a subtle aroma.

Resources

Recipes:

Body Butter
Cuticle Cream
Sugar Scrub #1, or Sugar Scrub #2

Massage:

doTERRA Hand Massage
Hand Massage by Alice Funk
doTERRA Foot Massage

Other Information:

File Your Nails
Buff Your Nails
Push Back Cuticles
Perfect at-Home Pedicure
Secret to Doing Your Own Pedicure
Nail Anatomy
Use of Epsom Salt

Living the Word: Lavishing Love

Having become an expert in pampering pinkies and tootsies in your family circle, now offer your services to a dear friend. I would recommend staying with the washing and massaging routines. For those who have jobs that require frequent use of the hands including moms of young children, cleansing and massaging the hands and/or feet will likely be a welcome break. Who could resist that kind of offer?

As it is autumn and the weather is cooler, put on a pot of tea, bring out some fruit and home baked or store-bought goodies and lavish love on your special beneficiary. Let the children participate in this gift of time and love. They can help serve the goodies and assist in retrieving items for the soak and massage.

Also consider allowing your children to invite a friend or two for a pampering party of their own. This will, of course, be especially meaningful to girls and their friends. Boys at the very least will enjoy partaking of the snacks provided.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you,” (John 13:14-15 ESV).

What's New?

1,000+ Facebook Fans!!!

We are excited to share that we recently accumulated over 1000 likes on Facebook. We appreciate how you are sharing news about us with others. To celebrate with you, we are providing a download to the song, "The Knight Is Coming." (Clicking on the song title will download it to your computer.) Thank you for your support, and please continue to share our page with your friends and family. (Words and Music by - Karen Langdon, Instrumental Arrangement by - Marty Hamby)


Major Recording Announcement

We are currently in discussions with a recording company from Germany who desires to translate Sing God's Word - Psalms in Tune CD #1 and Sing God's Word - Way to Praise CD #2 into the German language. This is a huge step of faith and commitment on our part, so we ask for your support through prayer!


Latest Testimonial

>"We got our CD in the mail the other day and I have been listening to it with Sam. He loves it. I can't believe it's been two years since I met you and purchased the CD for my nieces and nephew. They love it too!" - Ann Baker, SAVE THE STORKS; Review All Testimonials


Ministry Partners

  • Living to Worship - promotes wellness and fitness in your spirit and body, all for the glory of God

  • Little Giant Steps - provides life-changing solutions for accelerating learning abilities in individuals whether they are gifted, typical or challenged

  • MY HOMESCHOOL ROADMAP - provides life-changing solutions for parents to homeschool their children without fear of failure

Upcoming Events



Look for us at the following venues in the upcoming months:


2015


2016

As the theme verse for Godstruck Ministries 4 Kids, Colossians 3:16 speaks to the heart and soul of why this ministry exists. Our mission is to help children hide God’s Word and principles in their hearts through His wonderful gift of music.

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