Author Archive

1. Is there a danger today of Christians returning to “the land of God” physically without really returning to God spiritually? If so, how do we avoid this danger?

Some hold on to the perception that the church building is the place of God. After a time away from involvement in church, people may feel a need to return to church to fulfill some type of religious ritual and feel better about them. Don’t we find it easier to perform outward acts that appear to evidence faith when our hearts actually are shallow toward God? See Matthew 15:8. There is no physical, earthly “promised land” for the church of the New Testament as there was for Israel of the Old Testament. This fact should make it easier for us to avoid Israel’s mistake of equating any kind of physical return with a spiritual return. But the physical should not be separated from the spiritual too much. Developing a deep faith is quite difficult when Christians neglect to be physically present with one another (Hebrews 10:25).

2. What are some specific things you need to do to conform your thoughts and actions to God’s standards?

This can lead to a wide-open discussion, even to a time of repentance. Expect answers that deal with prayer, Bible study, acts of benevolence, and a greater emphasis on evangelism.

One problem that can distract from the need to conform thoughts and actions to God’s standards is the danger being devoted more to a certain messenger than to the message itself. Paul spoke of those who were more interested in lining up behind certain church leaders rather than behind Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12). Some may quit going to a particular church when the preacher leaves. A church may fail to take action against a leader who has fallen morally, excusing or even rationalizing the sin. Such undue loyalty to the messenger of God demonstrates a disloyalty to the person of God by violating His Word.

3. The heart is considered the seat of the emotions. What steps have you taken to develop a proper heart for God and His kingdom? What steps do you yet need to take?

A good starting point is to examine how Bible characters developed a heart for God. David, a she cried for mercy from God because of his sin, said, “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).The first step is humility.

Forsaking the lure of this world is also necessary in developing a heart for God. Paul says, “And be not conformed to this world: but he ye transformed” (Romans 12:2). Keeping God’s Word leads to a renewed heart. Jesus said, “But that [seed] on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). These biblical examples and precepts should shape our individual practices.

4. What modern applications can we see in Zechariah 7:12?

We remind ourselves that people have freewill—they can choose to close their ears and refuse to hear. Instead of their rejection causing us to be reluctant to share the message in the future, God expects us to continue to do our part by faithfully proclaiming His message. Jesus did! Even a cursory reading of Scripture reveals that the majority of people will reject the message (Matthew 7:13, 14). This fact should not dissuade us from being teachers of God’s Woe, sharing the message of eternal hope.

5.What are some modern examples of crying out to God as a last resort? Do you think, God ever honors those cries? Why, or why not?

A deathbed confession of faith is an example of a last-resort cry. Deathbed confessions comfort some people when they coax an acknowledgment of God from the lips of the one who is dying. Such confessions may or may not demonstrate true repentance. Only God knows the heart. After the person dies following such a confession, there are no actions possible by which that person can demonstrate true repentance. ‘Otis is not true in other situations. A person who cries to God for deliverance from an approaching tornado may live through the experience to demonstrate true repentance. God always honors True repentance.



Few today choose to make a commitment to church ministries that demand persistent presence and active participation. Just ask your minister if there is a surplus of Bible teachers in the congregation. Church leaders sometimes question why few have a commitment to the church’s programs and ministries. The answer is simple; few are truly committed to God. Thus, few are committed to God’s demands for a life of doing right. This quarter’s lessons offer an opportunity to challenge commitment in the learners. Some simple learning activities that run through the quarter of study may be a step in the right direction to “getting back into commitment.”

How Am I Doing?

God’s prophets had a primary task: to call God’s wayward people back to His ways. Consider having your class members maintain a notebook (journal) during this series, a record of their own responses to the truths studied. Make multiple copies of the following form so you can provide one to each student each week. At the end of the first week’s study, introduce the concept by saying, “At the end of the week ahead, sit down and ponder how well you are doing in relationship to the commitment we have studied today”. Fill in the word Justice (the key word in the first week’s lesson title) on the lines marked with an asterisk (*); then write your thoughtful responses in the other spaces.”
When it comes to being committed I rate myself a [Use a scale of 1. "barely noticeable" to 5 for "giving daily evidence.")
One occasion this week when I gave evidence I am committed to [ blank] was when I[blank] This event or behavior best exemplified such a commitment because it[blank]
One occasion this week when my behavior or words demonstrated a lack of commitment to [blank] was when I [blank]
The verse from this week’s text that has the greatest impact on me is [blank]. The reason for this impact is [blank]
Have students use the same form each week. The key words or themes for the 13 weeks from the lesson titles are (1) justice, (2) God’s ways, (3)true worship, (4) seeking God, (5) God’s requirements, (6) righteousness, (7) hope, (8) account-ability, (9) trusting God, (10) hope even in pain,(11) taking responsibility, (12) returning to God, and (13) doing right.

What Is Lacking?

This weekly journalizing will allow students to confront their own levels of commitment. Ask for volunteers to give candid self-assessments to the class as a whole.
The problems that your students reveal actually may be symptoms of a deeper problem: a lack of knowledge. God’s lament, through the pen of Hosea, was, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). When disciples thoroughly know the person and will of God, commitment should be a by-product. In Simon Peter’s words, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).Consider how you can facilitate greater knowledge through memorization of pivotal verses. In the first week of the study, for example tell your students, “I have found some significant thoughts of God in my preparation for this series of studies in the theme of commitment from God’s prophets. So I have committed to learning some of those great ideas by heart.” Then quote, for example, part of Amos 5:15: “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment.”Offer your class an opportunity to join you in your quest to increase their own knowledge of God as found in the prophets. To this end, you can distribute commitment cards like this:

Dear God,
Thank you for revealing your will through your prophets. I hereby commit to learning at least verses of beauty and challenge during our class’s study this quarter. My prayer is that Your Word will cure my lack of knowledge.
Signed;
Date

Indicate that this commitment activity is strictly a personal matter and that the cards can be carried in one’s Bible. Make suggestions for good verses to memorize. Regularly talking about your own progress will encourage participation.

Into the Lesson

To open today’s lesson, say, “In 1989, a researcher developed a model for robotic behavior. The author, Pattie Maes, says that for a robot the act of ‘doing the right thing’ should have the following characteristics:
1. It favors actions that are goal oriented.
2. It favors actions that are relevant to the current situation.
3. It favors actions that contribute to the ongoing goal/ plan.
4. It looks ahead to avoid hazardous situations.
5. It never completely breaks down, even when certain parts fail.
6. It is reactive and fast.
Ask your students to imagine they are writing a manual for humans “to do the right thing.”What characteristics would they specify for humans in this regard? Write ideas on the board. When you finish discussing this exercise, tell your students that today’s lesson deals with God’s explanation of how to do the right thing. As an alternative, obtain a recording of Handel’s Messiah and play one or two tracks based on today’s text (Malachi 3:2, 3): “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming?” and “And He Shall Purify.” Then tell your class that today’s lesson explains these words from Malachi.

Into the Word

Use the Lesson Background and commentary on Malachi 2:17 to discuss the situation in Judah leading up to Malachi 3. Focus on the final question in verse 17: “Where is the God of judgment?” Ask why students think that God would be weary of Judah’s whining and how Malachi 3:1-4:1 is God’s answer to the above question. Next, divide your class into groups of three or four and direct attention to the activity The Lord Has Cometh in the student book. If you don’t use the student book, provide paper and pencils; assign each leans the following passages: Malachi3:1-5; 4:1; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 2:21-32, 41-47; John1:14; 7:14, 33-41; Hebrews 8:8-10; 13:15, 16;2 Peter 3:8-13; Revelation 20:7-15.
Instruct each group to paraphrase the Malachi passages, indicating how each verse is fulfilled in the New Testament. For example, Malachi 3:1 could be paraphrased, “See, I’m going to send John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus.” Tell your students that their paraphrases should answer the following questions: I. Who prepared the way for the promised Messiah? 2. On what occasions did Jesus come to His temple? 3. What new covenant was brought by the Messiah and Why? 4. How were the people to be refined? 5. What will judgment be like for the wicked? When your students finish their studies, use the lesson commentary to evaluate the results.

Into Life

Remind your students of their answers to the first exercise in today’s lesson, and then read the following hypothetical situations. Ask volunteers to suggest responses to each that reflect God’s concern for doing the right thing.
Situation #1. A pro-abortion organization has opened a clinic in your area “to ensure the availability of safe, legal abortions to women who desire to make that choice.” What can your congregation do to offer women an alternative consistent to God’s Word? How will your response promote justice for pre-born children?
Situation # 2. A local atheist has sued your school district to stop the daily recital of the Pledge of Allegiance on the ground that the phrase under God violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment’s separation of church and state. What can you do in response?
Situation # 3. Your community newspaper has printed an editorial accusing a political candidate of being “too religious” because he has admitted that he consults the Bible when he is forming his position on moral and political issues. What would you say in a letter to the editor?
After discussing their thoughts, encourage your students to act accordingly this coming week in response to other challenges to their faith.
What was a situation in which you think you have wearied the Lord with your How do you guard against doing so? Are you suspicious of someone who says kind things to a person’s face and evil things behind the person’s back? We can be guilty of sin in some way. We can say good about God and tell others we believe in Him, yet fail to honor Him in our lives.
Jesus can return at any time, and we must be ready. We should be motivated to prepare ourselves and others for the return of Christ, but not spend time trying to determine the exact date. The major thing is to be prepared: it is a minor detail for us as to when this event takes place. What Malachi 3:1 implies about Jesus’ first coming is thus very useful when we ponder His second.
4. In what areas of your life has God had to apply His refining fire and purifying soap? How is your life better as a result? In what areas do you still need God’s purification?
When we surrender our lives to Christ according to the biblical plan of salvation, we are cleansed from our sin guilt. Yet even after that cleansing, we carry with us some residual effects. The Holy Spirit has to continue to work in our lives, refining and cleansing. Paul spoke of his continual struggle with sin even after becoming a follower of Christ (see Romans 7:19). God promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (5 John1:9). There are areas for each of us to recognize our sin, confess it to God, and allow Him to do His cleansing work. It may be the sin of gossip, lust, greed, or pride. We are not able to conquer these sins on our own; we need the refining power of God.
5. Why do you think that many today do not fear the Lord? In what ways would your life change for the better if you had a greater fear of the Lord?
A lack of fear of God often may be traced to a conscious or unconscious belief that a person is ultimately accountable to self. An emphasis on God’s love to the exclusion of His holiness may also be the problem.
Parents who truly love their children and want the best for them also desire that their children respect them and honor them. They want their children to have a healthy fear of them and not think they can get away with just anything it is similar with God.

Being able to deal confidently with simple household repairs is an important part of running a home with the minimum of fuss and expense. Many common problems – blocked drains, overflowing cisterns or even noisy pipes – are often very easy to remedy if you are prepared to spend a little time and effort on them. More importantly, you will save a great deal of unnecessary expense by tackling the job yourself rather than calling an expert to deal with it.

Renovating a Bath

Acrylic: use a hard paint such as radiator enamel to paint out marks on this type of bath. Small chips in the surface can also be repaired using a2-part car-repair filler (spackle). Mix the filler following the instruct ions on the packet and mix a little paint colour into the paste to blend with the bath. When the filler is hard, rub it down with wet-and-dry sandpaper, keeping this wet as you work.

Enamel: heavy lime scale deposits can etch into the surface of a bath. Remove these using a chemical limescale remover applied with a brush. Chips in the enamel coating of a bath can lead to the metal rusting. Use limescale remover to shift any rust stains around the chips, and, when dry, sand with an emery cloth to remove loose particles. Re-paint with enamel paint, blending colours if necessary to achieve a perfect match.

Bond simple breaks in pottery with a 2-part epoxy resin or PVA (white) glue. Use cyanoacrylate adhesives for fine breaks and porcelain. Multiple breaks should only be glued piece by piece and allowed to dry between stages. Using acrylic paints, it is possible to ‘hide’ cracks and even to replace parts of a missing pattern if you fill the area with Plaster of Paris arid carefully paint over. Repaired china and pottery will never he as strong as it was formerly, so do not use it in an oven, or to carry hot foods or drinks.

Repairing China

Clean new breaks thoroughly using ethylated spirits and a lint-free cloth before gluing the pieces together with a cyanoacrylate (super glue). Badly repaired breaks will show in time. Start by removing the old glue in hot, soapy water, using an old toothbrush. Apply neat bleach to stains along the crack, using cotton buds (swabs). Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears.

Having cleaned the broken edges thoroughly, apply a cyanoacrylate (superglue), following the manu6ciurer’sIstructions carefully.

Press the broken edges together for a few seconds, then apply strips of masking tape to hold the pieces securely. Leave to dry, and repeat with the other broken pieces.

An Overflowing Cistern

If the ball-float allows too much water into the cistern, the water could start to run out of the overflow pipe. Older-style Portsmouth-type valves can be adjusted by bending the metal float arm down. When full, the cistern’s water level should be about 2.5 cm/I in below the overflow. If the problem is caused by corrosion or scale, the Portsmouth valves may have failed and the washer may have worn away too.

Newer cisterns have plastic diaphragm valves. The float arm can be adjusted by the screw that is secured with a lockout. Release the locknut, then turn the screw towards the valve to reduce the amount of water. Re-tighten the locknut afterwards.

Radiator ‘Cold Spots’

These are usually caused by air becoming locked inside the top of the radiator and preventing the water from reaching the whole of the inside. Hold a rag under the square valve and, using the radiator key gently release it until the air starts to hiss out. When the hissing stops and water starts to dribble out, close it up again. If the air released from the radiator smell of gas, it could be due to corrosion in the system. If this is the case, ask a central-heating engineer for advice. Hold a cloth underneath a radiator valve to catch any drips as the air is released.

Repairing a  Diaphragm Valve

1. If the rubber diaphragm has worn or its action been disrupted by debris in the water, turn off the water supply. Dismantle the valve and lay out the parts in the order they come off, to make re-assembly easier.
2. Clean the diaphragm valve with warm, soapy water or, if it is damaged, replace it with a new one. Turn on the water to flush out any debris and then replace the diaphragm, ensuring that the rim faces inwards. Re-assemble the valve.

Repairing a Portsmouth Valve

1. Turn off the water supply and unscrew the cap at the end of the valve. If the cap is tight or rusted, use pliers to loosen before taking it off.
2. Dismantle the valve by removing the split pin securing the float arm. If this is nary it may snap, so have a spare split pinto hand.
3. Push the valve plug out with a screw-driver and clean it thoroughly, inside and out, using wire wool.
4. Screw the valve cap by turning a screwdriver in the slot of the valve plug and remove the washer. Replace the washer with a new one if necessary and re-assemble the plug and valve.

Unclogging a Sink

If the water will not run out of the sink, place a sink plunger over the plug and cover overflow with a damp cloth. Pump the plunger hard up and down a few times to release the blockage.

If the blockage still remains, hold a large dish or other container beneath the U-bend under the sink. Keep the plug in the sink, then unscrew the U-bend, remove it for cleaning and then replace it.

If the obstruction is not in the U-bend, probe a piece of chick wire or an unravelled wire coat hanger into the wastepipe to hook out the blockage.

The main problem with painting doors— or indeed any woodwork with a large surface — involves keeping what professional decorators call a ‘wet edge’. Obviously, the door has to be painted bit by bit, and, if the edge of one area begins to dry before this is joined up to the next area, the join will show when the paint dries completely.

The secret of success is to work in an ordered sequence, as shown in these illustrations of flush and panelled doors, and to complete the painting job in one continuous operation, working as fast as is reasonably possible. Windows are more difficult to paint than doors because they contain so many different surfaces, especially small-paned types criss-crossed with slim glazing bars (muntins). There is also the additional problem of paint: straying on to the glass. The ideal is a neat paint line that covers the bedding putty and extends on to the glass surface by about 3inches to seal the joint and prevent condensation from running down between putty and glass.

Remove the window hardware before you start painting. On casement windows, tap a nail into the bottom edge of the casement and into the lower frame rebate and then link them with stiff wire to stop the casement irons swinging about.

For the best results, remove sash windows from their frames before painting. Modem spring-mounted windows are easy to release from their frames. With older cord-operated types, remove the staff beads (window-stops) first to free the sashes. Although quite a major task, take the opportunity to renew the sash cords (pulley ropes).This makes it possible to cut the cords to free the window.

PAINTING A PANELLED DOOR

1. Tackle a paneled door by painting the moldings (1) around the recessed panels first. Take care not to let paint build up in the corners or to stray on to the faces of the cross rails at this stage. Next, paint the recessed panels (2).
2. Paint the horizontal cross-rails (3), brushing lightly inwards towards the pale red panel moldings to leave a sharp pattern edge. Feather out the paint thinly where it runs onto the vertical tiles at each end of the rails.
3. Finish the door by painting the vertical center rail (4) and the tiles (5), again brushing inwards towards the panel moldings. Where the rail abuts the cross-rails, finish with light brushstrokes parallel to the cross-rails.

Varnishing Wood

1. On bare wood, use a clean lint-free cloth to wipe the first coat on to the wood, working along the grain direction. When it is dry, sand it lightly and then wipe off the dust.
2. Brush on the second and subsequent coats of varnish, applying them along the grain and linking up adjacent areas using light brushstrokes

PAINTING A FLUSH DOOR

Remove the door furniture and wedge open the door. Divide it up into 10 imaginary squares, and start at the top by filling in the first square. Finish the paint out towards the door edges so that it does not build up on external angles. Paint the next block at the top of the door. Blend the 2 areas with horizontal brushstrokes, then with light, vertical laying-off strokes.

Continue to work down the door surface block by block, blending the wet edges of adjacent blocks together as you paint them. Always aim to complete a flush door in 1 session to prevent the joints between blocks showing up as hard lines. Replace the door furniture when the paint is touch-dry.

PAINTING AROUND GLASS

1. Stick masking tape to the glass with its edge 3 mm/in from the wood. Paint the surrounding wood, removing the tape when the paint is touch-dry.
2. Alternatively, hold a small paint shield against the edge of the glazing bar (muntin) or the surrounding moulding while you paint. Wipe the shield regularly to prevent smears.

Many paint effects are based on a few simple techniques. These can be used on their own or combined to produce an infinite variety of paint effects. The techniques shown here all use ultramarine blue emulsion (latex) paint mixed with acrylic scumble glaze and/or water to be able to compare the different effects possible. Two coats of silk finish white emulsion paint were rollered on as a base. Before you start a project practise these techniques first.

SPONGING

Dilute a little paint with a some water in a paint tray or saucer. Dip a damp, natural sponge into the paint and wipe off the excess on kitchen paper (paper towels). Dab the sponge on to the surface in different directions.

COLOUR WASHING

Dilute the paint with water and brush on randomly with cross-hatched brushstrokes, using a large decorator’s brush. A damp sponge will give a similar effect.

FROTTAGE

Dilute the paint with water or scumble. Apply paint with cross-hatched brushstrokes, then press a piece of tissue paper over the wet surface and peel it off.

DRAGGING

Mix paint with scumble glaze and brush on with cross-hatched brushstrokes. Drag a flat decorator’s brush through the glaze. The soft effect is achieved by going over the glaze again to break up the lines.

COMBING

Mix paint with acrylic scumble and brush on with cross-hatched brushstrokes. Run a metal or rubber graining comb through the wet glaze.

BRUSH OUT COLOUR GLAZE

This soft, patchy wall finish is pure country. It is traditionally achieved using either a very runny colourwash or an oil-based glaze tinted with oil colour, over eggshell paint. The technique below gives the same effect but is easier to achieve. Wallpaper paste adds a translucency to the colour and PVA (white) glue seals the surface when dry.

1. Paint the wall with a plain, light emulsion (latex) colour. Mix the glaze, using 1 part PVA (white) glue, 5 parts water and 1 part wallpaper paste. Tint it with three 20 cm/8 in squirts from an acrylic or gouache tube, or about 15 ml/1 tbsp of powder paint. Vary the intensity of colour to your own taste. Get the feel of the glaze and brush, and adjust the colour at this stage if necessary.
2. Begin applying the glaze in an area of the room that will he hidden by furniture or pictures; as your technique improves you will be painting the more obvious areas. Start near the top of the wall, dabbing glaze on with the brush and then sweeping it over the surface with random strokes.
3. The effect will be streaky and the brushstrokes will show. So after about 5 minutes, brush the surface lightly with your brush but don’t use any glaze. The brush will pick up any surplus glaze on the surface and leave a softer, less streaky effect. When working on edges and corners, apply the glaze and then brush it away from the corner or edge.

CRACKLE GLAZE

Brush on a coat of water-based crackle glaze and leave to dry. Using a well-laden brush, apply paint carefully on top so that you lay, rather than brush, it over the surface. Work quickly and do not over-brush an area already painted. If you have missed an area, touch it in when the paint has dried. Seal with acrylic varnish.

STONE WALL EFFECT

1. Paint the wall with cream emulsion (latex). Leave to dry and then mix a glaze of 1 part raw umber acrylic paint to 6 parts scumble. Stipple this on to the wall. Leave to dry. Mix a glaze with the white acrylic paint in the same way. Dampen a sponge and apply the glaze over the stippling, varying your hand position
2. Using a softening brush, skim gently over the white glaze while it is still wet. Now mix a glaze with the yellow ochre paint as in step 1, but this time rub it into the wall with a cloth. Leave some areas of white glaze showing. Using another dampened cloth, rub some areas to disperse the paint. Leave to dry.

‘POWDERY’ PAINT FINISH

This paint finish imitates the opaque, soft colour and powdery bloom of distemper, the wall finish most used an oil-based glaze tinted with oil colour, over eggshell paint. The technique below gives the same effect but is easier

1. Prepare the walls by stripping off any wallpaper down to the bare plaster. Spread filler irregularly with a spatula to simulate the uneven texture of old plaster. Use thin layers and apply randomly from different directions. Don’t worry about overdoing the effect; you can always rub it back with sandpaper when it’s dry, after an hour.
2. Blend the dried filler into the original wall surface using rough-grade sandpaper, leaving rougher areas for a more obvious distressed effect. Mix water-based paint with water in the ratio 2 parts water to1 part paint. Stir the paint well: it should have the consistency of single cream.
3. Begin painting at ceiling height. The paint is likely to splash a bit, so protect any surfaces. Use the paintbrush randomly rather than in straight lines, and expect a patchy effect — it will fade as the paint dries. The second coat needs to be stronger, so use less water in the mixture. Apply the second coat in the same way, working the brush into any cracks or rough plaster areas. Two hours later, the ‘bloom’ of the powdery finish will appear.

• Buy a pack of change-of-address cards, or fill one out and photocopy it to save time writing out dozens. Ensure that your insurance company, bank, credit card issuer, pension company, and all the other businesses you deal with know of your move.
• Arrange building and contents insurance at the new house to start on the day you move in.
• Cancel regular deliveries of groceries or newspapers.
• Arrange by telephone, and confirm in writing, transfers of the electricity, gas, water and telephone accounts. Before leaving, read the meters.
• Make arrangements for the gas, electricity and water to be switched on at the new house.

House-moving preparations

If you intend to use a professional removal company, contact 2 or 3 different removal companies as soon as you know that the move is on and ask them to visit and quote for the job. Ask neighbors or friends for their recommendations, too, as they may be able to offer useful advice on local companies. Firms which are reluctant to visit may he best avoided, as a guessed estimate may cause problems on the day if they do not know, for instance, that there will be a spiral staircase, low doors or an attic or loft stashed with boxes to cope with.
When the removal men arrive, point out anything that may make parking near the house a problem, and remember to tell them if they are likely to encounter difficulties at the new address. Show items requiring careful handling such as antiques, computer or hi-fi (stereo) equipment, as well as anything that has to be dismantled before it can be moved such as large wardrobes (closets). Giving all this information at the start will make the removal company’s quotation as accurate as possible and prevent a nasty surprise when the bill arrives.

Removal insurance

Always read the small print on the documentation and check that the house contents will be insured for the duration of the move. Many removal firms’ contracts state that you must let them know within 10 days of the move if anything is damaged or missing. Be sure to open every box and inspect the contents thoroughly as soon as you arrive, even if they remain otherwise untouched for weeks afterward. Most firms will pack and unpack the contents themselves, but may give a discount if you do it yourself. This could affect the insurance cover, however, so check this before you decide.
Check your own house-contents insurance, as it is likely that the insurance will not cover items lost or damaged during a move. If necessary, ask the company to extend the cover.

Hiring (renting) a van

Doing the move yourself is cheaper, but driving a large van packed with furniture can be an alarming experience if you are unused to it. Unless you are fit and reasonably strong and can spar ethe time, it can in fact end up being a false economy. Hiring (renting) a van and driver could be a happy medium —check whether you will he charged extra for mileage, or whether the price quoted is inclusive. Wrap plates individually and pack them vertically to minimize the risk of breakages.

Packing

Begin packing a few weeks ahead of the move. Start with items in the attic or loft that you rarely use — this is also a good time to throw out items that you no longer need. Additional, purely decorative items and ornaments can also he wrapped up at this early stage.
Collect boxes from the supermarket and save newspapers for packing items. Buy bubble wrap (padded plastic wrapping, available from stationers) to protect delicate or easily marked items. Use large but manageable boxes, mark each lid with a bold pen to show which room it belongs in at the new house. Alternatively, place a colour-coded label on the box, for example, blue for the bathroom, yellow for the kitchen, green for the living room, and so on. When you arrive at the new house, stick matching labels on the relevant door to each room so that the removal company knows exactly where everything needs to go. When labelling boxes, give details of the contents (e.g., kitchen pans and crockery; food processor and attachments) so that you do not spend frustrating time trying to find one item.
Line boxes containing china with a thick layer of bubble wrap or with scrunched-up paper to protect the contents. Wrap plates in paper or bubble wrap and stack them vertically in the boxes. In the event of the box being knocked or dropped, the plates will be less likely to crack if the weight is not resting on those at the bottom.
Leave soap, toiler paper, hand towels and tea- and coffee-making items (including cups and the kettle) until last, then pack them in a brightly coloured plastic box so that you can see it easily the instant you arrive. Pack tools, light bulbs, extension cables, spare fuses and screws in another brightly coloured box so that rooms can be lit and quick repairs undertaken.

Having decided on the style of garden that you want, and the features that you need to incorporate, tackle the much more difficult task of applying them to your own garden. The chances are that your garden will be the wrong size or shape, or the situation or outlook is inappropriate to the style of garden that you want. The way around this is to not try to create a particular style too closely.
If you can’t visualize the whole of your front garden as, say, a stone or Japanese garden, it may be possible to include the feature as an element within a more general design.
Most successful garden designs fall into one of the three basic patterns described below, though clever planting and variations on the themes almost always result in individual designs.
Circular theme: Circular themes are very effective at disguising the predictable shape of a rectangular garden. Circular lawns, circular patios, and circular beds are all options, and you only need to overlap and interlock a few circles to create a stylish garden. Plants fill the gaps between the curved areas and the straight edges.
Using a compass, try various combinations of circles to see whether you can create an attractive pattern. Be prepared to vary the radii and to overlap the circles if necessary.
Diagonal theme: This device creates a sense of space by taking the eye along and across the garden. Start by drawing grid lines at 45° to the house or main fence. Then draw in the design, using the grid as a guide.
Rectangular theme: Most people designing a garden use a rectangular theme based on a grid — even though they may not make a conscious effort to do so. The device is effective if you want to create a formal look, or wish to divide a long, narrow garden up into smaller sections.

How to make a scale drawing

To make a scale drawing, choose a scale that enables you to fit the garden on a single large sheet of graph paper. For most small gardens, a scale of 1:50 (2 cm to 1 m or 1/4 in to 1 ft) is about right. If your garden is large, try a scale of 1:100. Draw your base line (a long straight edge such as a fence) in first, then transfer the scale measurements. When the right-angle measurements have been transferred, draw in the relevant outlines.

Drawing the garden plan

Whether designing a garden from scratch or simply modifying what you already have you need to draw a plan of the garden as it is. A drawn plan will enable you to see the overall design clearly and to experiment with different ideas.
Stage 1: the basic grid: Make a rough sketch of your existing garden, add accurate measurements, then, make a scale drawing from this. Transfer the measurements to graph paper to create a scale plan of your garden, showing any permanent structures and features that you want to retain.
Now superimpose on to this grid the type of design you have in mind — one based on circles, rectangles or diagonals, for example. You can draw these directly onto your plan in a second colour, but if you think you might change your mind, draw the grid on a transparent overlay. Use grid lines1.8-2.4 m/6-8 ft apart for small areas.
Using an overlay, or a photocopy of your plan complete with grid, mark on the new features that you would like to include, in their positions. You might find it helpful to cut out pieces of scrap paper to an appropriate size and shape so that you can move them around.
Stage 2: the rough: Using an overlay or a photocopy, start sketching in your plan. If you can visualize an overall design, sketch this in first in as detailed a fashion as possible, then move around your features to fit into it. If you have not reached this stage, start by sketching in the features you have provisionally positioned though you may have to adjust them later.
You will need to make many attempts. Don’t he satisfied with the first one – it may be the best, but you won’t know this unless you explore a few other options first. Don’t worry too much about planting details at this stage, except perhaps for a few important focal plants.
Stage 3: the detailed drawing: Details such as the type of paving should be decided now – not only because it will help you to see the final effect, but also because you need to work to areas that use multiples of full blocks, slabs or bricks if possible. Draw in key plants, especially large trees and shrubs, but omit the more detailed planting plans at this stage.

Trying it out

Before ordering materials or starting construction, mark out as much of the design as possible in the garden. Use string and pegs to indicate the areas, then walk around them. If possible, take a look from an upstairs window. This will give a much better idea of the overall design and whether paths and sitting areas are large enough.
Use tall canes to indicate the positions of important plants and new trees. This will show how much screening they are likely to offer, and whether they may become a problem in time. By observing the shadow cast at various parts of the day, you’ll also know whether shade could be a potential problem – for other plants or for a sitting-out area. If your design includes irregularly shaped beds, use a length of garden hose or thick rope, adjusting the curves to roughly mark out the shape.

Plenty of circumstances will occur where baby has to travel with the parents. This can pose a variety of problems and it’s worth considering them carefully before taking the trip. The key factor to be considered is the altered routine the baby will have to face.When babies becomes accustomed to a normal schedule, they finds this very suitable and satisfying. Therefore, any sudden variation from this is a jolt to the system. Babies does not take to it very kindly in many instances. So, be well warned.

It’s almost impossible to take a trip (wherever or whatever kind is planned) that can be tailor-made to baby’s set routine. Do not be too upset if baby is unhappy for much of the time. The infant’s regular eating habits will be changed and the sleep pattern will most likely be altered. The environment for sleep will be different (every day perhaps). So irritability, crying, showing signs of discontent, possibly going off food, being “bad tempered,” bowel irregularity and vomiting are some of the possibilities.

An effort should be made to adhere as much as possible to baby’s usual routine. This will help.
Feeding facilities must be well thought out; feeding supplies, bathing facilities etc, must all be carefully planned. Another concern, nappies, disposable nappies are now widely used but there may be problems associated with disposing of the soiled products. Give this some thought, you can’t just throw them out of the car window.

Patients with extensive surgery are now being offered immediate reconstructive surgery. Here, either an artificial (saline-filled) prosthesis, or bag, or some of the patient’s own tissue, if available, is inserted in the chest wall when the breast is removed. This is the ideal situation for this type of surgery. Then the woman has the mental appreciation of still looking like a woman when she awakes from her major and traumatizing operation, a chest that looks fairly normal, and not too different from that of her contemporaries. Read more..