Serenity for Your Soul: A Gabby Moms Review

"Suzy Homemaker is a myth of the world. Every day you will face something that you know you can't do. That's when you want to dive right in with the strength of the One who invented womanhood. Only then can you let Him do what you can't." Lorrie Flem, posted in Serenity for Your Soul

Take a moment to breathe in that breath of fresh air. Isn't it nice? Refreshing?

I read that quote a couple weeks ago when I received my Serenity for Your Soul newsletter, and my mind immediately recognized it as truth that I needed to hear, truth that most homemakers need to hear. In fact, I dare say I need to be reminded of this truth all the time because I am too often tempted to aim for the unrealistic perfection of Suzy Homemaker, which always leaves me feeling like a failure, and that is not what God wants for me or for you. Thank you, Lorrie, for reminding me of this wonderful truth!

This kind of truth as well as encouraging articles, humorous little quips, quotes, occasional recipes, and even a link to "Chick Flicks for Moms" (which you will love) could be coming to your inbox once each week, and it is completely FREE!!! I've been receiving this newsletter, Serenity for Your Soul, for quite a while, and I love it! 

I've subscribed to other newsletters before, and I always end up canceling them, but not this one. I look forward to reading it, and I am always encouraged by it. It takes less than 10 minutes to read, so it isn't time consuming, which is exactly what a homemaker needs, but it is rich with content. I always come away from reading it feeling like I received something great. This little newsletter written by Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragment is always overflowing with wisdom, virtue, encouragement, truth and the lovely, gentle manner in which Lorrie writes her Biblical words of encouragement for all homemakers like me.

This evening as I was working on vision therapy exercises with my son, I was able to use a story that Lorrie shared in that same weekly issue of the newsletter.  We often quote Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.)during eye therapy sessions because it is pretty hard work. Tonight, I shared a story with Lukas which Lorrie had shared in a recent issue of the newsletter about an Olympic diver who relied on the truth in that same verse and was able to achieve a gold medal in spite of difficult circumstances. Lukas' eyes lit up with excitement, and he dug into the task at hand with vigor. Serenity for Your Soul may be for YOUR soul, mama, but you'll find little jewels to strengthen those you love also!

You can sign up for Serenity for Your Soul by going to www.eternalencouragement.com and scrolling down just a little. You'll see a box that says, "Sign Up For Our Newsletter." If you sign up right now, they'll also send you a free e-book called Organizing Happiness. That sounds great, doesn't it? I don't know anyone who couldn't use a little more happiness. I also highly recommend that you explore the Eternal Encouragement website a little while you're there. You'll find that it is overflowing with wonderfulness (I'm sure that's a word, right?).

This post was written in accordance with the Gabby Moms program. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure: A Gabby Moms Review

I gotta be honest. Yelling? I do it too much. I don't plan to yell.  I plan just the opposite. I plan to be patient, kind and at peace with my children even when they are not at their best. I desire to be that mom who never raises her voice even the slightest; and, yet, I find myself losing my temper and raising my voice almost every day. This is truth, hard truth, but it's still truth.


Yesterday, for example, it seemed like we were late from the moment we stirred until the moment we went to bed. All four of us got out of bed late. Our family Bible study was late. My personal quiet time was later in the morning than I preferred. School started late. I could go on and on because I really don't think we did one single thing on time yesterday. Being late drives me crazy, and I allow myself to become short-tempered faster than a hornet when it happens. My children look at me as if they are completely and totally flabbergasted because they really didn't do anything wrong. I am yelling at them because of the situation, which I was clearly a part of causing, and they don't deserve it. It causes anxiety for all of us, and it is my fault that I allow it to happen.


This is why I felt both excited and convicted as soon as I saw the title of this month's Gabby Mom's review item. Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure. I knew that I needed this e-book, and I knew just from the title that many, many other moms I know need this e-book as well. In fact, I would go so far as to say that most moms need this e-book. If you are a mom, then you probably need to read this e-book. 

As I was reading this 22 page book, I took lots of notes, and I would love to share them all with you because I believe this to be such an important issue that moms need to address within their homes. Obviously, I cannot do that, so let me give you a little snippet of what you will be getting when you order your own copy of this book.


Within the pages of this short book (it took me less than an hour to read), you will find a wealth of encouragement as well as the conviction and challenge you need to put you on the path of a more peaceful household. Lorrie Flem offers 11 action steps which will help you to train yourself to whisper rather than yell, to train your children to obey rather than aggravate, and your household will become peaceful rather than chaotic as a result of this. I'm super excited about putting all of these action steps into place in my home. If I can learn not to yell, then so can my children, and that is something that makes this mama very, very motivated to make a change!


Lorrie always has great things to say, and this book is no exception. I have noted several quotes for myself to re-read and think about as I go through the process of re-training myself to stop yelling. One of my favorites says this, "Ban the word 'stressful'. Describe a situation as 'difficult' or 'challenging.' That small switch gives you the power to do something about it. Words not only describe emotional states. They create them." Isn't that something to think about? I am posting this one on the refrigerator!


Another compelling quote from the book says this, "The biggest thing is to choose. To choose to be happy instead of angry. Patient instead of impatient. Understanding instead of (willfully) uncomprehending." I think that this little highlight could be applied to many situations in our lives, don't you?


Other highlights that will help you on your journey include many, many passages of scripture that will encourage and challenge you along the road as well as a printable list of the 11 steps Lorrie outlines in the book. 


You can purchase and download your copy of this book at www.eternalencouragement.com for $12.97. You won't regret taking the time to read Yelling: The Cause, the Casualty, the Cure. I plan to re-read it multiple times until I get this down. My kids are worth it, and so are yours!


This post was written in accordance with the Gabby Moms program. I was in no way compensated for this post.

Welcome Home Daddy: A Gabby Moms Review

This past Sunday was a glorious day. The sun was shining. The temperature was warm for this time of year. We went to church in the morning, and one of the ladies from our church delivered a message to the women of the church about being godly women and wives. Afterward, we spent the afternoon with my parents, and then we headed back to church for musical rehearsal and Sunday School in the evening. Doesn't that sound like a nice way to spend a Sunday? 

When we got home, I was overcome with a bad attitude. Looking back, it made no sense whatsoever. I had a fantastic day, but, as soon as I got home, I was tired and cranky, and we all know that when mama is tired and cranky, she has the ability to upset the fruit basket completely. I was definitely in that kind of mood. I finally sat in a living room chair away from my family for a few minutes and paused, thinking about what everyone had done to me to put me in this mood. I couldn't come up with anything! I sincerely apologized to my family. In response to something I said in my little apology, Eric began to smile, walked across the room, sincerely said he agreed with what I had said, started to laugh and then leaned down to kiss me. It was a moment in which I could choose to be upset with my husband because he was unapologetically agreeing with my explanation of my attitude, or I could decide to smile in the moment and laugh. I chose the latter. We both laughed so much that he could barely give me that kiss. Then, the kids were laughing with us (or maybe they were laughing at us). That laughter turned my attitude around and changed the atmosphere of our home for the rest of the evening.

In Lorrie Flem's book, Welcome Home Daddy, Traditional Values for Modern Mothers, Lorrie dedicated an entire chapter to this very idea. The stories she told in this particular chapter were so funny that I laughed hard enough to cause my husband to ask me what was so funny. He wasn't even in the same room with me! Even now, I'm smiling again thinking about one of the stories she shared, which I hope you will read when you get a copy of this book!

Don't we all need to laugh more often? We laugh a lot in this house, but, still, we can always use more laughter. This is one of many, many points that Lorrie made in this little treasure.  The entire book was filled with ideas on how we, as wives and moms, can make the atmosphere of our home better. Making a nice meal each night isn't just about eating, for example, it's about loving your family. Everything we do as wives and moms comes down to this simple fact. If we love our families, we will serve them in a multitude of ways. Making our homes a place where our husbands and children want to return to relax and enjoy each other is a big responsibility, but it is such a worthwhile calling. Lorrie has written this timeless book for modern moms to show us how we can do it even when there are toddlers at our knees and teenagers needing rides; we can still purpose to make our home a shelter from the storms of life. 

For instance, my children set our table each evening for dinner. Last year, I began to purpose to make the table look special more often. Sometimes we'll use a table cloth, or we'll set a little decoration at one end of the table. The kids enjoy putting candlesticks on the table more than anything. One evening, they did all of this unbeknown to me. I walked into the dining room and found the table dressed to the 9s, so to speak. Why did my children do this? Because they have learned that dinner time, with just the four of us, is special enough to dress things up a little because they are special. If we're willing to do these things for company, why not show the people we love the most that they deserve it too?

One thing that Lorrie mentioned in the book a few times that I really appreciated was that she understands that this concept can be overwhelming during certain seasons of life. Afterall, having 8 children of her own, she has been there! One of the subtle themes that I noticed is this, "If you can't do it all, just do something." I don't know that she said those exact words, but that is one point that she made more than once. We can all do something to make our homes a respite. You may be juggling 3 children under the age of 5, and your husband may walk into a messy living room. You can still greet him at the door with a kiss on the cheek and welcoming words on your lips so that he knows you want him there.

You can get your copy of this book, Welcome Home Daddy, at www.eternalencouragement.com. You will also find many other fantastic resources in their shop and on their website. There are several other products that complement this book that I am excited about! I recommend starting with this book. It is $17.97 plus shipping, and it is a book worth reading! Lorrie's ideas are simple and easy to implement in your home.  If you want to read some other reviews of this book as well as find some other great Christian mom bloggers to follow, check out the Gabby Moms Blog.

The last thing I want to mention to you is that Eternal Encouragement is also looking for new blogging moms to join the Gabby Moms program in 2012. Are you interested? I can tell you that I have enjoyed doing this program very much. I have been blessed, encouraged and challenged throughout this year by the products offered on the Eternal Encouragment site. I encourage you to think about it. It could be a lot of fun for you, and what mom doesn't need more fun in her life?

This post was written in accordance with the Gabby Moms program. I was in no way compensated for this post.

The Influence of Mothering

Mothering is a deeply complicated subject these days, isn't it? I have written posts recently that have gotten me into a little trouble even though my motives were pure (but only because people read between the lines and found things that weren't there). Even so, I'm going to attempt another post on this topic, a topic that should be so simple and sweet but is utterly complex and too often controversial these days.


Everyone has their own idea about the things that mothering concerns these days. Few subscribe to a June Clever-esque concept of motherhood, fewer care to be grain grinding, goat milking, garden growing hippie chicks, and even fewer subscribe to a truly Biblical model of motherhood. Wouldn't it have been fantastic if God just spelled it out for us in intricate detail that left no room for error? He kind of does. Check out Titus 2 if you're interested in learning about Biblical womanhood as the Lord defines it for us. I don't live to perfection, but I do try to live by this passage of scripture.


That is not really what I want to talk about in this post. It definitely applies to what is on my mind, but it was more or less a free bit of info for your benefit. What I really want to talk about is how women define their worth. It breaks my heart when I hear one who is called "Mama" say that they aren't doing enough to serve the church or community, that they don't "feel" like their life brings enough to the table, that they need to be "doing more" so that they are truly having an effect on the lives of those within their circle of influence.


Um. What??? Mothering is enough. I don't care if you work outside the home or if you don't. Mothering is enough. Mothering provides you with an opportunity to influence not just a few lives, but the lives of future generations in a way that no one else could. The opportunity a mother has is unmatched. Your children, your grandchildren, your great, great great grandchildren will all be influenced by you. Why isn't this enough for the modern woman? 100 years ago, women wouldn't even have given such an ungodly thought the time of day because they were taught to care for their husbands, children and homes in a way that brought glory to God. They were taught that these tasks themselves brought glory to God!!!


The work you do outside your home at a job, church, or community organization pales in comparison to the work you do in your home. If you don't feel like you are valuable, then I dare say you are defining yourself by the wrong standard. The world has unfortunately influenced the church, and that same world may tell you that it is okay to feel like you need more to feel like you are being used, but it just isn't true. You are looking for your value in all the wrong places (did that line just bring up an old love song for you? Totally accidental).


If you are seeking outside opportunities to serve or influence others, I challenge you to look inward. Your children don't need you to be busy. The Father gave them to you so that you could be their greatest influencer. Take it seriously. They'll be gone some day, and then you'll have plenty of time to influence your church, community and co-workers.


You, Mother, are doing God's work when you are choosing to serve at home. Mothering is a noble calling, and we should never look at our lives as if we are not doing enough because we remember those other talents and gifts we have. This is your season to mother. Do it with passion. Do it with grace, hope, diligence, fortitude and honor. When you are through and you are surrounded by healthy, Christ-like adults, your children will rise up and call you blessed!

To Have and To Hold, A Marriage Bundle

I am learning to be more candid in my blog posts. I tend to be somewhat private when it comes to my personal life, but I believe that, when we go through something hard, the Lord intends for us to use that experience in some way for the good of others. That is what brings me to this post.

I almost lost my marriage. That's right. We're a Christian, homeschooling, ministry-focused family, and we almost lost one of God's most precious gifts. It was several years ago, so those of you who know me well know the time period I'm talking about.  It was my fault as much as it was my husband's fault, and I won't burden you with all the gory details. I'll just say that we dug a very deep trench for ourselves and digging out of that trench took a lot of hard work and dedication to the institution of marriage and to each other.

During that time, we attended marriage retreats (which we would do again in a heartbeat because whether or not your marriage is in jeopardy, marriage retreats ROCK!), we saw four different counselors in three different states, I read books (my husband isn't much of a reader), we prayed, we cried, we talked, we yelled, we searched and begged God for an answer to our problems. It was the most challenging season of our life. I'm glad to say that we've come out on the other side of it stronger, more secure in our marriage and ready to tackle several more decades of life together. I can't imagine my life without Eric.

I think that if Eric and I had used all the right tools from the beginning of our marriage, our situation would have been much different. If we had attended retreats, read books, prayed and read the Word together and worked to connect each day, we wouldn't have headed down that almost fatal road for our marriage. Don't you agree? Marriage is worth the time it takes to make it work.

Eternal Encouragement's Marriage Bundle, To Have and to Hold, is a fantastic tool to help you and your spouse put that time into your marriage whether you are in a season of trouble like we once were or a season of joy. It is phenomenal. When I began opening the many files that come with this bundle, I was flabbergasted at the amount of information included in this packet. I can't even imagine the amount of time that went into creating this. As I read through the material, I found myself laughing, crying and, more than anything, challenged to do things better in my own marriage.

Included in this downloadable bundle is the following:

• Audios
  • 5R's Session 2 - Rekindle
  • One Life to Live, One Man to Love

• E-Books
  • Loving Your Knight in Shining Armor Even When He Doesn't Shine
  • Roadmap to a Marvelous Marriage
  • Marriage Tidbits to Treasure
  • Quotes Not Quibbles
  • Marriage Report

• E-Booklets
  • 31 Daily Biblical Prayers for Wives to Pray for Their Husbands
  • Encouragement Report
  • Don't Settle 
  • What God Says about Marriage
  • 75 Inexpensive Romantic Rut Cures
  • It Happened One Afternoon

• Magazine Back Issues
  • 2001 Summer Issue TEACH Magazine "Loving Your Husband"
  • 2009 Spring Issue TEACH Magazine "Marriages Made Marvelous"
   

All of this delivered to your inbox for only $39.97!!! Want it delivered to your mailbox instead? You can get it shipped to you for only $49.97. There is so much material here. You couldn't possibly find this much great advice on marriage anywhere else for such an affordable price.  While the contents are listed above, even that doesn't give you the full idea of what you're getting.

• It Happened One Afternoon is a beautiful story of a married couple in post World War II America. I was captivated by the short story and in tears by the end. 
• 75 Inexpensive Romantic Rut Cures offers simple, everyday ideas to spice things up in your marriage, and most of them cost nothing at all!  
• I'm working through 31 Biblical Prayers for Wives to Pray for their Husbands with fervor. We all need to be reminded to pray for our men from time to time, and this is a great tool to remind us how our husbands need to be prayed for. It offers a different focus for each day of the month.
• Don't Settle was another short story that I enjoyed so much, and it was filled with so much wisdom and truth.
• Quotes not Quibbles contains 72 pages of material to encourage you in your marriage! 
• What God Says About Marriage is filled with several pages of Bible verses all about marriage. What a great way to begin doing a Bible study with your spouse!

I'm still just giving you a snippet of what you'll get when you purchase this bundle. As I said, I'm flabbergasted at the amount of material that is included for this price. It is so very worth it. Your husband is worth it. Your kids are worth it. Your marriage is worth. YOU are worth it!

To purchase this product go to www.eternalencouragement.com. Check out all the products available in their store. Peruse their site to find so much more while you're there. I have to say that Eternal Encouragment is my favorite new website of the year so far. I think you'll be encouraged by what you find there as well!

Disclaimer: I received this product for honest review as part of the Gabby Moms program. I was not compensated for this post.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine

It is no secret that our life has had some kinks in the road lately. We've been faced with challenges, and there have been moments, days and even weeks during which I felt exhausted from it all. During those times, friends and family were there to provide support and encourageement that I needed. They are still there, and I appreciate them, but I am grateful that the Lord provides me with many avenues through which I can find encouragement. During hard times, I also seek out Bible passages and verses that remind me that the Lord helps me to stand during hard situations. Probably 8 or 10 months ago, I was given a new avenue of encouragement when Lorrie Flem, creator of Eternal Encouragement magazine, befriended me on Facebook. I will never doubt the Lord's leading in making this connection for me because I have been blessed and encouraged time and time again because of it.

This month I have been perusing a copy of Eternal Encouragment. It's amazing. From cover to cover, I found articles that were encouraging, informative, challenging and captivating. What Christian woman doesn't want to read a magazine whose purpose is "Inspiring Women to become More like Jesus Every Day?" I love this magazine. I mean I really, really love it.

One of the things that I enjoy is that my heart resonates with all that this magazine encompasses. Within its pages are articles about homemaking, Biblical womanhood, being a godly wife and mother, homeschooling and more. Sounds perfect for me, doesn't it? It is very likely perfect for you as well!

Let me tell you some of the things I loved the most. First, it's purse-sized. This has nothing to do with the content, of course, but I love that it's compact.It's about the size of those Guideposts magazines that I often see at doctor's offices, a design that fits perfectly in your purse so you can carry it to piano lessons, sports practices and doctor's appointments. I love this simple little detail!

One of the underlying beliefs of the creators of this magazine is stated toward the beginning of the magazine. "We believe that God has first delegated to parents the authority and responsibility to teach and raise their children. Parents can delegate their authority to someone else, but they can never delegate their responsibility." AMEN! I knew that I would have to include that in my review because it is exactly what I believe to be true! Are you starting to see why I enjoy this magazine so much?

Let me also share a few points from favorite articles to give you a glimpse of what you'll be getting when you become a subscriber. Lorrie Flem asks, "Are You Contagious?" Um. YES, I am contagious. Good and bad attitudes ooze out around me. I was grateful for the reminder. 

Later, Carole Farmen discusses her daughter's temperament change in an article called "Temper to Tranquility." I was so encouraged by this little window into her journey. Even if your child isn't prone to angry outbursts, it is a sweet reminder that the Lord can change our children (and us) from the inside out! 

In "10 Ways to Make Today Your Best Day Ever," Lorrie Flem shared that she put "Listening, learning, laughing and laying a loving hand on them" on her daily check-off list because those truly are the most important tasks we as mothers do each day. I love this so much that I have written it in my school planbook where I see it each morning and am reminded that the most important thing my children will learn each day is not in a school book.

Of course, you'll find things like informative articles and laughter in these pages as well. I found both in "It is too Rocket Science" written by an unknown author.I laughed as the author took me on a journey explaining how modern rocket science was indeed effected by ancient Rome. You'll also find articles geared toward moms of teens, mother-daughter relationships, nutrition, cooking and more!

Something else that stood out to me is that, while this publication does contain some relevant advertising, there is very, very little. It isn't like most magazines that have advertisements between each article (or on every page). This magazine serves it's purpose so well without providing ample advertising space. Did I mention that I love this magazine? I mean, really, really love it?

To get your copy of Eternal Encouragement, go to www.homemakingwithteach.com and order a subscription(check out all the fantastic finds on their website as well). It is well worth the $25.97 annual subscription rate. As someone who has subscribed to other magazines with similar themes, I found that Eternal Encouragment is exactly what I need. While it does offer the occasional homeschooling idea, the focus of this magazine is not on that. Instead, it is filled with articles written by moms just like me who are down-to-earth and just want to share a little of their journey with the rest of us. Whether or not you homeschool, I believe you'll find edifying articles in these pages. Check it out!

I received this product for honest review from Eternal Encouragement Magazine as a part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own.  

Embracing our Role

On Tuesday night I took Ava with me to the grocery. She had the option of going with Eric and Lukas to piano lessons, but she chose to go to the grocery with me instead. The trip to the store began with me in a grumpy mood, but I mostly hid that from Ava. It wasn't her fault I hadn't slept the night before and that I didn't want to go anywhere. Usually, I don't mind getting groceries, but I surely didn't want to do it that night.

On the way to the store, I thanked Ava for going with me. She said, "You're welcome. I couldn't let you go to the store all by yourself! NO ONE wants to go shopping alone!" Heehee. Sometimes, I do want to go to the store alone, but I didn't share that with her. Of course I wanted to be with her. These moments are precious and fleeting, aren't they?

For the first time, Ava wanted to control the grocery list. She took the pencil and list, and I told her she was welcome to cross things off the list if she read them herself. I showed her which column matched the department we were in (I shop from a spreadsheet...for real), and she found each item and scratched it off. A couple times she needed help because I abbreviate things. I'm not used to a 7 year old, budding reader wanting to read my grocery list, and "chx" doesn't mean "chicken" when you're 7. I was so proud of how well she did with this task. She was so proud of herself as well. I love moments like this. I'll cherish them forever.

I've noticed in the past 6 months that Ava is really starting to understand gender roles. I realize that anyone reading this who is an avid supporter of the feminist movement is probably cringing as they read this paragraph, but I am proud of this fact. Ava wants to cook, get groceries, clean and do anything that she sees me doing these days. She's my constant side-kick. One of her favorite tasks is helping in the kitchen. Of course, she sees Daddy in the kitchen from time to time, but it's definitely not his niche. It's mine. It's Nana's. It's Grandma's. Ava is learning to embrace her role in this life, and I'm happy to be the one to show it to her.

These are the kinds of things that we need to be teaching our daughters, the kinds of things that are so often overlooked these days. I don't think most Christians even realize how deeply the feminist movement has infected our thinking. I allowed it to infect my thinking for years. 15 years ago, I believed a woman not only could have it all. I believed a woman should have it all! 

If you feel like you have it all while working outside the home, then I am happy for you. I'm not here to cast judgment on anyone. I see women who work and raise a family and enjoy their lives. I'm just not someone who would enjoy that. I love my role in my home. I enjoy spending my days with my children. Homeschooling rocks. Running a household brings me joy. Planning and cooking healthy meals and not needing to rely on processed food makes me feel like I'm giving my family the best nutrition that I can. Supporting my husband and being available to talk to him throughout his day is one of the greatest things that I do. Passing this kind of legacy onto my daughter is something I believe the Lord would want for me to do.

My relationship with my daughter is changing. We're growing closer in new and wonderful ways. Some day, I hope that she becomes one of my best friends. I remember my pre-adolescent and adolescent years far too well to imagine that we won't have some bumps along the way, but, someday, when she's all grown up, I hope that we have that. It isn't the season for that, but it is a season to teach her what it means to be a woman of God, to teach her the things of God and to ensure that she knows that she is loved and cherished by her mama no matter what she says or does. 

Don't be afraid to embrace a traditional role in your family. This is something I never imagined I would love. I wanted to teach music. I wanted do so many things. Do I feel like I'm missing out? Absolutely not. I believe I traded up. This life is so much better than any I could ever have imagined!

Encouraging Moments

 

When Mom says come,
I jump and run.

I don't ask why,

And I don't cry.

I smile and say,

Yes, Mom, okay.

Is this not completely adorable? Don't you just love it? I do. I would have enjoyed teaching this little rhyme to my kids when they were pre-schoolers. What a great, simple way to teach the meaning of Godly obedience. I don't know about your kids, but, even though my kids are now 9 and 7, they haven't completely mastered this concept of biblical obedience yet, so they'll be copying this during our school time on Monday.

Where did I find this little tidbit of wisdom? Encouraging Moments e-newsletter, a weekly newsletter sent directly to your in-box from the publishers of Eternal Encouragement Magazine.

As a homemaker and mom, I am always seeking out ways to be an encouragement to others. I'm certain this is because I need so much encouragement for myself. After all, God created us to be in relationships with each other because he gifted us all differently. If I need to be blessed, challenged or reminded that other wives and moms face the same things that I face, then I can only expect that other women need the same thing.

Encouraging Moments e-newsletter is an easy way to get a weekly dose of the kind of Godly wisdom and encouragement that moms like me are looking for. The newsletter is brief and requires only a few moments of your time, just like the name suggests, but you get so much from those few well-spent minutes.

The weekly newsletter begins with an uplifting and spiritually challenging note from Lorrie Flem, the creator of Eternal Encouragement (previously entitled TEACH Magazine). Lorrie is a gifted writer and speaker and has written countless articles that have blessed me time and again. Even her Facebook posts are thought provoking! God has blessed her with Godly wisdom and inspired her to share it with other wives and moms. I am so glad that He did!

My favorite quote from Lorrie's brief but moving introduction to last week's newsletter actually came from Lorrie's mom in reference to the Bible. "Either sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin." I found this simple quote to be so filled with wisdom that I am posting it where my family can see it along with a photo of a Bible! I always find something that I love within anything published by Eternal Encouragement!

The poem which I quoted at the beginning of this review came from my favorite part of the newsletter, "Chick Flicks for Mom"

Isn't that a clever name? It caught my attention, and I had to check it out. These videos are short clips, maybe 3 or 4 minutes long, in which Lorrie gives you words of wisdom on things like parenting, serving the Lord, homemaking, and marriage. Lorrie is brief, witty and warm, and you'll love hearing what she has to say! The only catch is that, after watching one Chick Flick, you may be tempted to go back and listen to another...and another...and another. I was!

"Encouraging Moments" is an e-newsletter that I actually want to read, that I am now looking forward to receiving each Thursday. Besides what I've already mentioned, you'll also find articles by other Eternal Encouragement authors, information about upcoming events, snippets from the week's Facebook posts, TEACH Magazine's store discounts and more! It's completely worth the price. FREE!!!! That's right, it's completely, totally 100% FREE! So what can you lose from checking it out? All you have to do is go to www.homemakingwithteach.com and sign-up!

If you want to get more opinions on "Encouraging Moments," click over to the GABBY MOMS website to see what other Gabby Moms have to say about it. There are 60 of us, and you may just find more than a review or two to read. You may find a fellow mom with whom your heart resonates! 

I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.

True Treasures

Like all women, I sometime need to laugh. Other times I need a good cry or a nugget of encouragement. I often simply need to know that someone out there has experienced the same thing I am facing or that I'm not the only one who doesn't feel like she's the perfect homeschooling mom or a wife who often struggles with being the kind of helpmate her husband deserves for her to be.

I never imagined I could find something that could meet all of those needs within one simple volume that I could peruse and enjoy at my leisure, that is inexpensive and doesn't involve packing and going away to a convention, but I did. True Treasures, 10 Years of TEACH Magazine, is exactly what the title describes, a treasure trove of articles written by moms just like you and me who have been there and done that. The wisdom and laughter awaiting you in this precious gem is invaluable.

If you are a wife, homemaker, or homeschooling mom, I don't know how you couldn't enjoy reading these articles. There is so much Godly information gathered into this volume that I couldn't absorb it all at once. After devouring an article or two,  I was compelled to spend time in prayer; or I was crying or had so much to think about that I needed to pause for a few moments before continuing to another article. And laughter? Oh yes, you'll find lots of giggling in these pages too. Where there are parenting articles, there will be smiles and laughter!

The very first article, "His Wheel = His Will" by Lorrie Flem, reminded me that God uses adversity to shape us. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know how timely that article was for me! God knew I needed that article. During another quiet moment, I sat to read "It's Raining, It's Pouring." also written by Lorrie Flem. My 7 year old walked into the room as I finished and asked why I was crying. I never put True Treasures down without feeling genuine encouragement. Don't we all need that? 

There are also snippets that include invaluable tools that we can all use like "Bible Verses to Pray for Your Children" and "Yippee! It's STILL Free!" If you have thought about it or allowed yourself to fret about it, you're likely to find an encouraging point-of-view in True Treasures. I love this book!

True Treasures is a compilation of the best of what TEACH magazine has had to offer its readers over the course of the past decade. It is 104 pages long divided into six chapters:

1. Jewels that Make the Heart Sparkle
2. Marriages of Solid Gold
3. Parenting Pearls: Practical and Priceless
4. Homemaking That Dazzles Like Diamonds
5. Homeschooling Nuggets of Wisdom
6. Godly Living That Glitters

If you're facing a parenting challenging, you'll likely find something in here that will help. Is your marriage struggling? These articles are filled with action-packed advice that will help you to love your husband in a way that will move your marriage in the right direction. Are your children not shining the way you would like? Find encouragement here. 

If you aren't familiar with TEACH,which has recently changed its name to Eternal Encouragement, head over to www.HomemakingWithTEACH.com and see what they have to offer.  Get a copy of True Treasures. You'll be blessed by this site. I promise! You can also see more reviews of this incredible True Treasure on the website dedicated to The Gabby Moms, the newly formed group of homeschooling moms of which I am a part.

The bottom line? If you want to be challenged, encouraged, blessed, filled with laughter and wisdom from the Lord, True Treasures is for you. I can't say enough great things about it (obviously). If you snag a copy, let me know what you think! I am certain you're going to love it!

When you head to Eternal Encouragement site purchase your copy of True Treasures, be sure to use the coupon code "GabbyMom" for $4 off your purchase good through May 31st, 2011! That sweetens this deal quite nicely, doesn't it?

Disclaimer: I received this product for honest review from TEACH Magazine as part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

The People we Need

I've had the opportunity to talk with or hear from several women this week with whom I am close, friends, mentors, a couple women from whom wisdom pours. God designed us to need each other, don't you think? I know some people disagree with that. I remember someone telling me in college that he could never allow himself to think that he needed his girlfriend (and would never tell her such a thing either) because he only truly needed God. I get it. Really, I understand the core of what he was saying. BUT...I believe God created Eve for Adam for a reason, and he allowed them to begin procreating not because He needed help taking care of the earth (oh the audacity of that line of thought!) but because we are designed to have relationships. I love that. I love that God made us that way, and so I'm glad that God has blessed me with some wonderful women in my life with whom I have had the opportunity to build relationships.

God reminded me how much He cares for me through these people in my life. Maybe I don't "need" these people as my friend in college thought, but God definitely used several of them to redirect my thoughts and bless my socks off. I'm willing to say that I need them. Yep. Sure do. I need uplifting, caring women in my life to help keep my batteries charged.

Last night, I had the privilege of chatting on-line with my little sister. The thing about my sister is that she doesn't sugar coat things. She encouraged me while at the same time saying things that I needed to hear that made me think about the choices I've been making and the thoughts with which I've been wrestling. I was more honest with her than almost anyone else. It was a blessing to hear what she had to say. I love knowing that we have become sisters in Christ now that we are adults rather than just sisters by blood. 

Today, my sister posted a link to an Oswald Chamber's devotional. It was clearly  meant for me today(which is why she posted it), and I firmly believe that the chat I had with Cassie last night followed by this specific devotional today was orchestrated by God. Here's my favorite part, "If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, 'Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?' Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him." Isn't that fantastic? Read it, friends. Here's the LINK. It'll be worth the 2 minutes it takes you to read through it. I promise. I am so grateful that Cassie posted it for me. It was exactly what I needed to hear. 

I plan to be reckless, unrestrained and willing to risk everything.

I love Jesus. 

I love the way He chooses to speak to us...even when we're trying to run away.

Who We Are

This post has been swirling in my head for a week or so. Don't get the idea that it's going to be brilliantly written or more captivating than my usual posts(I never make such lofty promises). It probably won't be, but it is something from my heart that has really been on my mind.

Have you noticed how much we compare ourselves to other people? I think that everyone, even those with the highest self-esteem, has fallen into this trap at some point in his or her life. It's a difficult pitfall to miss. We see someone who is smarter, prettier, stronger, wealthier, healthier, more talented, etc...and we want what they have. It's similar to the reason Eve grabbed the fruit in the garden. She wanted what wasn't hers, what God never intended for her to have, and she was harmed because of her choice to give into that desire. We, also, are harmed by our desire for characteristics and talents that we do not possess. Girls long to be beautiful, and if they feel they are not, they believe they are worth less than the girls who they view as beautiful when the truth is that God sees each of His creations as gorgeous, flawless and perfect. So why do we want what others have, or, if we don't necessarily want it, why do we view ourselves as less than someone else because we don't want it but feel the pressure of society causing us to think we should want it?

Women are terrible about this. We forget that we are all created in the image of the same God, and that He blesses us each with different talents, gifts and abilities because we are designed to complement each other. Our unique personalities are designed by the Creator for a specific purpose. For example, I have a friend who lives in the middle of a forest, raises goats for milk, chickens for eggs, homeschools her children and desires to be nothing short of the center of God's will for her life. This is God's will for her. I have no doubt about this because she thrives in this environment and so do her husband and children. I have another friend whose life couldn't be more opposite in that she lives in a somewhat urban area, you couldn't pay her to raise chickens, and her children go to a public school, but, she also desires to be at the center of God's will for her life. I don't doubt her choices or the fact that her life is centered in God's will for her either. If God wanted us all to be the same, then one of these two very godly women would have to be wrong. Neither of them is wrong. God designed them differently on purpose. He put them exactly where they are because he knew they would thrive there or learn to be content. He knew that the gifts he gave to each one had a perfect purpose.

Mothering is different for me than it is for you because I am different than you are. I enjoy traveling and experiencing new things with my kids. I love to cook healthy, from scratch meals for my family. I like to do crafts with my kids, though I'm not the most creative crafter out there. Homeschooling is a blast for me, and being up-to-speed on things like curriculum and homeschooling philosophies is interesting to me. I love throwing parties for my kids complete with cakes decorated by me and fun party themes and games. However...my house is usually a little cluttered; sometimes it's a lot cluttered. My floor doesn't get mopped as often as it should. I can't sew anything more than a button or hem. I purchase costumes for my kids because I can't make them and don't really want to learn to do so. I don't make anything special for breakfast most days of the week. Cereal and yogurt are what's served most of the time with the occasional dish of hot cream of wheat or scrambled eggs and toast. I consider some of these things to be shortcomings, especially when I look with envy at other moms who do all of those things that I wrote after the "however" in this paragraph. Those moms, however, don't do all of the things I posted before the "however." We can't all do it all. That's not the way we were designed. God designed me to love and enjoy certain tasks and not others. He made you to love those things. Thanks for filling my gaps when I need you to. There's the key. We're designed to help each other.

I may falter on what I'm about to say in the near future, but I am committing to being content with the way God made me. I don't need to create fantastic costumes for my children to wear or mop my floor everyday to know that I am the center of God's will for my life, and neither do you. You don't like to decorate cakes? Purchase one or bake the cake, slather on some frosting, stick in a candle and sing Happy Birthday. Your kid is going to love being the center of attention either way. You don't like to travel? Make special memories at home with game nights, movie nights and walks to the park. You don't like to cook? Well, you can't get out of that completely, but so what? Keep it simple and quick. That's what Rachael Ray is all about, and she seems to be doing pretty well.

However God designed you, be grateful for what he gave you to use, and use it to serve Him with your whole heart wherever He has planted you no matter what your circumstances are. You are designed uniquely by a perfect heavenly Father. He doesn't make mistakes.

Girlfriends

Girlfriends are so important to a woman, even a happy mom of two needs her girlfriends.  If I think back to the day I was packing all my belongings to head to college, I can still remember thinking about how much I was going to miss Sarah and Heather.  Sarah used to play the piano and we would sing  the Michael W. Smith song, "Friends" at church or summer camp or wherever it was needed.  I truly believed that "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them."

Fortunately, Sarah and I are still friends.  We had a few years when we went through a rough patch, but we are, once again, very close.  It has been such a sweet thing to be able to renew our friendship in the past few years as we became mothers together and have truly grown to be confidantes again.  I am blessed that she is only a little over an hour away from here, but I still don't see her as often as I would like to.

When I headed off to college, God gave me some more wonderful friends.  My dear friend Melissa once told Jessica and I that she thought we were connected at the hip.  We truly did have a ton of classes together, and we lived together, rehearsed together, etc...  We were both flute players and music majors, so it wasn't as if we were doing it on purpose.  But...God did bless us with a great friendship that has lasted through the years.  We don't talk nearly as often as we should, but we both know that we can always rely on the other one when we're going through a tough time.  She is a jewel that God has given to me, and I miss her very much as well as the other girlfriends God gave me during that time.

After college ended, God called us to go to Painted Post, NY.  Can you believe God calls people to a town with a name like that?  It is actually a beautiful place that still feels like a home to us, and, of course, I have many girlfriends there.  I remember crying crocodile tears as we were packing to move there, and the tears were even bigger when God made it clear that it was time to leave.  But the girlfriends God blessed me with there came through like never before.  I don't know how I would have survived moving away from them without the phone calls, cards, e-mails, and even visits from them.  I will always look forward to hearing Stacy's voice on the other end of the phone.  Sure, I would much prefer giving her a hug, but hearing her talk about her kids and her life is precious time well spent.   God truly filled my cup to overflowing when he blessed me with each of my girlfriends in NY.

God put each of my dear girlfriends in my life for different reasons.  They all play a different role, but I miss them all the same.  I would love to hang out with each and every one of them right now, even though they are truly spread out from coast to coast, from California to Delaware. 

My prayer is that God would give me another precious friendship where I am now, but I can't imagine another blessing as great as any of the ones He has already given me.  I love my girlfriends.  And since I know that if I delight myself in Him, he will grant the desires of my heart, I know that this desire will be fulfilled either through my current supply of precious girlfriends or through the love of a new friend.

Dearest Abba Father...Thank you so much for all that you have given me.  My husband, my children, my family and friends, and tonight I'd like to thank you especially for my girlfriends.  They are so precious to me, and I praise you for bringing each of them into my life at the moment I needed them.  I hope that I have filled a space in their lives and helped them even a fraction of the amount that they have helped me, and I pray that you help me to do that.  Thank you Jesus for these women of God that you have placed in my life.  You are awesome and amazing to me...Amen