Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting

It is my joy to host Lydia Harris, a.k.a. Grandma Tea, on my blog.  She's written a wonderful Bible study book about becoming the grandparent God wants each of us to be.  I hope you'll enjoy visiting with her. 

Although Lydia deals with health challenges, she's been a prolific writer for many years.  Her first book, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting, has just been released last fall.

Lydia is not only a writer, she's a teacher and contributor at many writing conferences.  One of her favorite writing projects is her column, A Cup of Tea with Lydia, in the Country Register.  That gives her and her husband Milt lavish opportunities to imbibe at tea rooms in the Northwest.

Welcome, Lydia.

Thanks for inviting me to guest blog on your site, Sylvia. I’m glad we met at the Oregon Christian Writers’ conference. Now we’ve both published our first books.

Writing and Grandparenting

In Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting, I’ve combined my passion for grandparenting and my calling to write. My book is a Bible study for new and experienced grandparents, but it’s not your typical study. Although full of scripture, it also contains practical and creative ideas to share fun and faith with grandkids. I interviewed dozens of grandparents like you, Sylvia. So the book includes their stories and quotes as well as my twelve years of hands-on grandparenting.

The study affirms grandparents in their important role, provides tools to become FANtastic grandparents, and helps them to pass on a legacy of faith. One grandmother wrote, “Your book has challenged me to think intentionally and to live purposefully in this new role.” The book makes a great gift for grandparents.

I’m thankful my husband and I live near our five grandkids, aged one to twelve, and can enjoy time with them. Even so, it takes planning to make it happen. I try to schedule time twice a month with my eight-year-old granddaughter for spiritual mentoring. And whenever possible, we attend our grandkids’ events or invite them to our home.

This week we had a first as we watched our middle-school-aged grandson play football with his school team. Go Jaguars! Another day, our kindergarten-aged grandson spent the afternoon. Since he has a vivid imagination, we looked for dinosaur footprints as we walked to the park. When we took him home, I told him when he turned sixteen and had a license I hoped he would drive over to visit me. “I will,” he promised.

Family Matters

I’m the youngest of eight children, and family has always been important to me. All my siblings are Christians, and we spoke German in our home when growing up. At the end of each day, we gathered for “Schluss” as a family to sing hymns, read the Bible, and kneel to pray—all in German.

After raising two children, God nudged me to write. I’ve written hundreds of book reviews, articles, columns, devotionals, recipes, and stories. I enjoy writing about tea, hospitality, prayer, family, and grandparenting. Together with my grandchildren, I create and test recipes, which are published in Focus on the Family’s children’s magazines.

Prayer as a Priority

Prayer is an important part of my life. I joined a Moms In Touch prayer group over twenty years ago and still pray weekly with mothers, now grandmothers. I also organize family prayer times for our extended family. We regularly share prayer requests by e-mail. Family members who live in the greater Seattle area meet about six times a year for family prayer times. In Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting, I’ve included several lessons on prayer along with exciting prayer tools.

Now with a published book, I also have speaking opportunities. I’m grateful that during these retirement years God still has plans for my life and continues to pour out his blessings. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:6 KJV)

Please stop by my blog (www.PreparingMyHeart.net) and say hello. And if you or someone you know is a grandparent, consider my book as a gift. To God be the glory!

Blessings,

Grandma Tea

An added note from Lydia:  For any in the greater Seattle area, I wanted to mention that this Saturday, Oct. 1, I'll be at Lifeway Christian Bookstore in Tukwila signing my book from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. Lifeway is also sponsoring kids' events, includingVeggieTales, at the same time. Please bring your kids and grandkids for a fun time. You might even get to meet a couple of my wonderful grandkids!