How to be an Energized and Fulfilled Woman of God

As a mother and homemaker, have you ever felt exhausted, irritable, and overwhelmed?


 
Mmmm-hmmmm.  Thought so.  I know we all do, as there are so many things for us to "do".  This brings me to my latest review for the Gabby Moms.  Our mission for this month was to review a brand new DVD from Eternal Encouragement and Mrs. Lorrie Flem.  Yes, that's right.  A DVD!  This is a new format that Lorrie has produced to help moms and homemakers glean some great advice from her.  This new product is not a download but is physically shipped to your door so you can watch it at your own convenience.

This particular DVD is titled "From Exhausted, Irritable, and Overwhelemed to...An Energized & Fulfilled Woman of God".  Lorrie herself sits down in front of the camera to share many things on her heart and fits everything nicely into an acronym, "Real Rest", to help us remember how to get real rest.  Lorrie reminds us that Jesus said only one thing was needed.  How can we obtain this?  There are many helpful tips on this video, but I will share one of them with you.

I love how Lorrie points out that during the process of Creation, God stopped every day and observed what He had done, and said that "It was good"!  How we as busy mothers and wives could learn from this!  We need to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak...Enjoy the things we have accomplished, and this is exactly what Lorrie exhorts us to do.  How many of us are up to our knees in dirty laundry and dirty diapers and need to remember to stop and be thankful for what we are getting done.  Lorrie reminds us that motherhood is a journey.  We need to enjoy the journey, not just be looking for that perfect end result.  We need to enjoy today.
 
There is so much more wisdom in this lengthy video, I cannot share it all with you here.  I merely listened to this video for many portions while I took my detox baths (if you've read my blog recently, you know I'm on a special diet for health).  I sure enjoyed getting to "sit down" with Lorrie though and "see her face-to face" at the other times though!  What a great format for learning!  The DVD also includes extremely helpful PDF study guide notes and an outline of the video, complete with scripture references and fill in the blanks to help you remember what you learn in the video, as well as space for taking notes.

This video and study guide surely blessed me, as I'm sure it will you.  I am grateful to be a part of this program!

As I'm sure you know, I received these products free of charge to review for Eternal Encouragement, but my opinions expressed here are completely my own, honest opinions.

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The Blessings of Keeping the Home

Keeping the home is not a drudgery.  It is a great blessing.  Cooking, cleaning, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, reading stories to little children, watching your children take their first steps, speak their first words, listening as older children tell you their thoughts and exciting things that have happened, are not to be taken lightly or cast off as "just chores".  While we work, we show our children how to work.  We watch over them, train them, and put the living God before their very eyes.  We serve our families with love when we do these things for them, things that they need done.  We love our children when we train them in things they need to know.

While we work, we can smile.  You can smile because you are right where God wants you, whether it be a "wonderful day" when many things go right, or whether it be a day when many things go wrong...You can smile.

You can smile while you hang up the laundry to dry (or put it in your handy dryer), giving your family clean, fresh clothing to wear.

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You can smile as you vacuum the floors of your house, giving your family a nice clean place to rest in.

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You can smile as you empty (or load) that great invention of a dishwasher, which gives you much less dishes to wash by hand.  Clean plates to eat on are always a blessing!

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You can smile as you serve up something delicious for your family to feast on...

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Or a dessert for a special treat!

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You can smile as you do those tedious tasks...Because it blesses your family!

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While we may not always be thanked for the work that we do, and we receive no paycheck...What better reward is there than to bless our family with good things and a good home?  What better reward is there than to train up children so that they will know His Name?  The Lord in Heaven above sees all that we do, even when others don't notice!  We are blessed beyond measure with a glorious appointment of duty!

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Shared with:

The Simple Joys of Life 
Domestically Divine 
Raising Homemakers
Women Living Well

Lose Your Life to Find It

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. ~Luke 9:23, 24

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The life of our adorable Lord was a life of continuous trial. From the moment He entered our world He became leagued with suffering; He identified Himself with it in its almost endless forms. He seemed to have been born with a tear in His eye, with a shade of sadness on His brow. He was prophesied as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

And, from the moment He touched the horizon of our earth, from that moment His sufferings commenced. Not a smile lighted up His benign countenance from the time of His advent to His departure. He came not to indulge in a life of tranquility and repose; He came not to quaff the cup of earthly or of Divine sweets—for even this last was denied Him in the hour of His lingering agony on the cross. He came to suffer—He came to bear the curse—He came to drain the deep cup of wrath, to weep, to bleed, to die. Our Savior was a cross-bearing Savior: our Lord was a suffering Lord.

And was it to be expected that they who had linked their destinies with His, who had avowed themselves His disciples and followers, should walk in a path diverse from their Lord’s? He Himself speaks of the incongruity of such a division of interests: “The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord.” There can be no true following of Christ as our example, if we lose sight of Him as a suffering Christ—a cross-bearing Savior.

There must be fellowship with Him in His sufferings. In order to enter fully and sympathetically into the afflictions of His people, He stooped to a body of suffering: in like manner, in order to have sympathy with Christ in His sorrows, we must, in some degree tread the path He trod. Here is one reason why He ordained, that along this rugged path His saints should all journey. They must be like their Lord; they are one with Him: and this oneness can only exist where there is mutual sympathy.

The church must be a cross-bearing church; it must be an afflicted church. Its great and glorious Head sought not, and found not, repose here: this was not His rest. He turned His back upon the pleasures, the riches, the luxuries, and even the common comforts of this world, preferring a life of obscurity, penury, and suffering. His very submission seemed to impart dignity to suffering, elevation to poverty, and to invest with an air of holy sanctity a life of obscurity, need, and trial.

We have seen, then, that our blessed Lord sanctified, by His own submission, a life of suffering; and that all His followers, if they would resemble Him, must have fellowship with Him in His sufferings. The apostle Paul seems to regard this in the light of a privilege. “For unto you,” he says, “it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” It seems, too, to be regarded as a part of their calling. “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”

Happy will be that afflicted child of God, who is led to view his Father’s discipline in the light of a privilege. To drink of the cup that Christ drank of—to bear any part of the cross that He bore—to tread in any measure the path that He trod, is a privilege indeed.

This is a distinction which angels have never attained. They know not the honor of suffering with Christ, of being made conformable to His death. It is peculiar to the believer in Jesus—it is his privilege, his calling.  ~Octavius Winslow




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When Healthy isn't Healthy Enough

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you probably know that I don't feed our family like "most people".  Soaking grains, sprouting grains, and making fresh buttermilk is a thing of the past for most people in industrialized countries.  Since I read Nourishing Traditions and switched our diet to a mostly traditional one, I have experienced many wonderful changes in my health, as well as the health of my children.  My allergies have lessened, and I even experienced some "die-off" during the time my body was getting used to real, healthy foods as opposed to the Standard American Diet.

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But...I know there are still changes that need to take place.  I have not led a healthy lifestyle throughout my younger days, and I have health issues that show me my immunity is not where it should be.  No, having allergies is not normal.  Having itchy, bumpy skin, children being impulsive, and lack of concentration, are not normal.

For these and other issues, I have been reading up on GAPS.  GAPS is a program that uses diet, supplementation, and detoxification to heal and seal the gut lining.  Did you know that most diseases begin in the gut?  Our bodies are populated with good bacteria which keeps bad bacteria under wraps.  But when things upset this balance of good bacteria (like antibiotics, birth control, unhealthy diet, and the bacteria population passed on to us from our mothers), the bad bacteria gets out of control, and we then obtain a host of different symptoms and diseases that modern doctors have no idea how to cure.

What is very interesting to me is that autism, dyspraxia (clumsiness), dyslexia, depression, A.D.D., A.D.H.D, and schizophrenia are ALL treatable by GAPS.  This is very good news to many a worried mom out there.  I want to encourage you that there is hope and healing.

As a Christian, I know that God is in control of our lives.  I know that He takes care of us and does not let anything come to pass in our lives without His knowledge.

So why would I, as a Christian woman, be interested in taking on a dramatic change like this?

For one, I want to be healthy for my children.  If God blesses us with more children, I want to be in as good of health as possible so I don't have the health issues I have had with other pregnancies.  Another reason for going on the GAPS program is so I don't pass on unhealthy gut flora to any future children we have.  I feel this is my responsibility as a mother, to give our children the best possible start to life through good health.

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I am on my second day of GAPS with some of our children.  At times I have felt like I am starving, as the GAPS food is super-digestable.  I have wanted chocolate and the baked goods I always make.  But those are out for right now.  My itchy skin has already subsided, which is a great encouragement to me.

I am using a wonderful ebook that I will tell you about later that walks you through GAPS step-by-step on the GAPS introduction diet and has delicious recipes.  Without it, I don't think I would be doing so well.

If you have issues that you knew could be cured and allow you to be in a better state of health to serve your family, would you take the steps to do it?

I would greatly encourage you to go to the GAPS website to read more about it, and pick up a copy of the book, for you, your children, for your whole family.  I'm sure it will be a blessing to you.





I will be updating you on our progress and telling you more about GAPS in future posts.

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Undeserved

While cleaning off the kitchen table after a long day of doing Mommy...Home-Keeper things...

Wishing I had gotten more done...

Wondering if what I do is enough...

To my surprise, I found this...

So much better than a paycheck.  Yes, it was like a great big hug from God...

Given through our eldest daughter. 

What a precious, undeserved gift.

Why undeserved?

Because I am just an imperfect Mama who wants to do everything right but fails...

But still my children love me...

I am blessed ♥

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The Shelving of Women

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"The headship of men does not mean the shelving of women. The Pauline epistles tell us plainly how real and extensive the role of women was in the New Testament church. Men who seek to make a woman the mere adjunct of themselves are stupid, foolish, and unchristian. They pass up the wealth of God's way for the poverty of their ego. The churches which relegate women to a limbo of irrelevance are guilty before God. Subordination does not mean irrelevance nor incompetence. If this were true, every corporation would be better off if all the staff and employees were fired, and only the chairman of the board remained. It would commonly mean the departure of intelligence." ~R.J. Rushdoony (1984)



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Free Classical Music

There is nothing quite like classical music to give you the feeling of being back in a simpler time.  I have found a site with classical music to download for free!  (You can also listen online.)  You can view all the composers by alphabetical order, or filter the music by genre or time period (20th century, Baroque, Classical, Medieval, Romantic).

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I hope you enjoy this resource.



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Anticipation of Fall

Oh, I love fall.  Do you?  I love the cooling of the weather...the earlier nights...the ending of hot summer days...
The reminder that it's time to slow down...just a little bit.

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Soon the trees will be turning their beautiful colors.  We will get out the cold-weather clothes and blankets in anticipation of a winter snow...

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What do you love about fall?


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Increasing Your Faith

Would you have more faith? Then seek to become more acquainted with Jesus Christ. Study your blessed Savior more and more, and strive to know more of the length and breadth and height of His love. Study Him in all His offices—as the Priest, the Physician, the Redeemer, the Advocate, the Friend, the Teacher, the Shepherd of His believing people. Study Him as one who not only died for you—but is also living for you at the right hand of God—as one who not only shed His blood for you—but daily intercedes for you at the right hand of God—as one who is soon coming again for you, and will stand once more on this earth.

The miner who is fully persuaded that the rope which draws him up from the pit will not break, is drawn up without anxiety and alarm. The believer who is thoroughly acquainted with the fullness of Jesus Christ—is the believer who travels from grace to glory with the greatest comfort and peace. Then let your daily prayers always contain these words, "Lord, increase my faith."

~ J.C. Ryle


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Homemade Gnat Trap

Several years ago we had a horrible gnat problem.  They came in through the holes in our window screen, and I did not know how to get rid of them at the time without harmful pesticides.  But if you have a problem with gnats, you can make a homemade gnat trap quite simply.  All you need is a glass, some apple cider vinegar, and some paper.

You can make this trap by making a funnel out of your piece of paper, which is then placed in the opening of a glass that has apple cider vinegar in it.  The apple cider vinegar lures the gnats in, but the funnel keeps them from getting out.  Make sure your funnel hole is not too big, or the gnats will be able to get back out.

After you have made a funnel with your paper and have checked how far down it will sit in your glass, pour the apple cider vinegar in the glass so that it will be as close as possible to the bottom of the funnel (of course do this without the funnel in the glass).  The gnats prefer glasses instead of plastic cups.  These traps can be placed where you see gnats the most.  Go here to see pictures of the trap.

Edited to add:  I can't remember how well this worked for gnats, but it definitely worked great for fruit flies!

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Mommy, I Just Want to Spend Time with You

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When our children were smaller, it was easier to have one-on-one time with them.  Days were not wrapped up in schoolwork...Reading time was almost always accomplished before nap time and bedtime.  Morning songs were sung at rising, and bedtime songs were sung before bed.

Sometimes I long for that simpler time...the days when there was no school to do...Life was easy-going, laid back.  Our family has grown and now there are more school subjects to study.  I miss the days of kindergarten and painting simple pictures...Story times on Mama's lap.

But alas, the children grow and there is more to learn, more to do.  Whenever I have an errand to run I always take one child with me, to have some one-on-one time with Mama.  But recently it is never enough!  They want more "special time" with me.

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I am continually amazed at how the days, months, and years pass by.  It seems like only yesterday they were only little toddlers...and soon my eldest will be approaching the double digits!  How is my time spent, I have to continually ask myself?  Life gets so busy with homemaking, homeschooling, and cooking for many people.

What ideas do you have to make special time with your children in large families?

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Domestically Divine 

Herbal Tea for Pregnancy

Over the past week I have heard more than once of the benefits of drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy.  Red raspberry leaf tones and strengthens the uterus, preparing it for birth.

 

Here is some information from the Bulk Herb store website:

"Seven years ago there was a flurry of warnings over the web not to use large amounts of raspberry leaf (only European raspberry) during early pregnancy. I always take the safe road, so I cautioned pregnant ladies to only drink a cup or two a day of raspberry until they were 5 months along. Now trusted researchers go on record as saying that Raspberry is safe for pregnant women. Here are two sources that are respected and helpful. Debi Pearl

GrowingLife.com

AmericanPregnancy.org

Excerpts from The How the Herb Book

Red Raspberry is used as a basic herbal foundation for all female organs and problems. It is in many female combinations.
Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system.
Decreases profuse menstrual flow.
Good during all months of pregnancy. Alleviates morning sickness and nausea. Has been used as a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor. Assists labor, makes delivery easier and relieves after pains. Tones and regulates before, during and after childbirth.
Increases and enriches milk for lactation, can be combined with marshmallow tea.
Raspberry tea is mild and pleasant to taste. It is good for stomachaches and bowel problems in children. For diarrhea in babies.
Soothing to stomach and bowels and cankerous conditions of mucous membranes in the alimentary canal.
High mineral and vitamin source.

Has been used in the following:
  

• Nausea
• Childbirth
• Coughs
• Digestion
• Fevers
• Flu-influenza
• Labor pains
• Miscarriage
• Afterpains of childbirth
• Pregnancy
• Antacid
• Colds
• Diarrhea
• Female problems
• Flatulence - gas
• Gastritis
• Decreases menstrual flow
• Mucous membranes
• Nursing
• Strengthens and tones uterus
  

Shannon of Nourishing Days makes an herbal pregnancy tea using red raspberry leaves, nettle leaves, and hibiscus flowers (which are optional).  Bulk Herb Store sells red raspberry tea leaves, as well as a special herbal tea mix called Mama's Red Raspberry Brew that contains Red raspberry, alfalfa, nettle, and peppermint.  I have heard that it is healthier to buy bulk tea leaves and make your own tea, as store-bought tea may have unwanted additives and may not be as fresh.

I would be interested to know if you have used red raspberry leaf tea in your pregnancies and what your experiences were.

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Mmmmmm.....Tea!

Would you like some free tea?  Well here you go!

Twinings of London will send you 3 free samples of  tea!  http://www.twiningsusa.com/pantry/

You can pick which ones you would like to try, and there are even several organic teas to choose from.

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Enjoy your tea ♥

Extended Specials + Winner of Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families

Hello everyone,

Marcia Washburn has generously decided to extend the special pricing on Talent to Treasure: Building a Profitable Music Teaching Business, Homemade Convenience Foods, and Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families until midnight, September 10th (this Saturday), so that those of you still wanting to secure a copy of these great resources don't miss out!  You can read my reviews and about the special pricing, as well as get the links to buy the books by clicking on the titles of each book above.

I have selected a winner for the Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families giveaway through random.org.

The winner is comment number 4, which belongs to

Sherry!

Congratulations, Sherry!  I'm sure you really will love this resource.


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Winner of Talent to Treasure Giveaway

I have selected a winner of the Talent to Treasure: Building a Profitable Music Teaching Business giveaway using random.org.

The winning comment was comment #4 by

Mrs. June Fuentes!

Congratulations, June!  June has been contacted and will receive her prize soon.  Don't forget that today is the last day to enter the Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families giveaway.  I will announce the winner of that giveaway on Monday.

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Attributes of a Godly Woman

by Pam Iannello

Attributes of a Godly Woman:

1. She is at peace with herself and God.

2. She is committed to God's headship order.
(1 Cor.11:1-16)

3. She has a meek and quiet spirit.

4. She has a servant's heart.

5. She does not call attention to her physical beauty.

6. She considers homemaking a high and noble call.

7. She is a joyful person.

8. She is a woman of prayer and devotion to God.

9. She has learned the secret of Isaiah 26:3.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee."

Godly women are writing their history not on the pages of their own book, but in the lives of those around them whom they love and serve. They spend their lives unknown by the world in the narrow circle of their home within which they labor increasingly for God and others, but they will not lose their reward! God's eye is upon them as they live out their lives in the orbit of His will amid all the cares, sorrows and trials of the home.

One day, when the books are opened, their devotion will be commended by Him who sees and knows all. It's your choice today.... You can live out your life with the attitude that you are "just a woman", or you can turn that perspective around and become "a just woman". This is not a special category of uniquely gifted or inspired ladies. It is simply the woman whose heart is turned wholly toward God, the one who knows her own righteousness does not count. The Bible says the just shall live by faith... It's the key ingredient that makes all the difference in your life and mine. May we all diligently seek to acquire and exhibit the attributes of godliness and live in His righteousness alone!

Don't forget about our current giveaways (see sidebar).

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Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule

A clean and organized home leads to a more productive and fun life. But, if you're like many moms, you don't like doing the work it takes to actually get your home that way. Most often, the task just seems too overwhelming, and you don't know where to start.

Thankfully, there's a way to make cleaning more enjoyable. That way is to have a plan!

Pre-made schedules don't always work for everyone because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all schedule. We all have different homes, needs, and expectations when it comes to cleaning. Christine from I Dream of Clean has put together an easy step-by-step plan for you to create your own cleaning schedule that fits your lifestyle, your preferences, and your family. It will help you Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule!

To encourage as many moms as possible to get their homes clean and organized, there will be a graduated pricing structure beginning September 1 at 9:30am CST:

* 50 copies will be available for $.50
* 100 copes will be available for $1.00
* 200 copies will be available for $2.00
* 300 copies will be available for $3.00
* 400 copies will be available for $4.00
* 500 copies will be available for $5.00
* Additional copies will be sold at the regular low price of $5.99.


They will go fast so act quickly! Click here to purchase your copy of Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, then visit the Perfect Cleaning Schedule Facebook Page (facebook.com/perfectcleaningschedule) to find PROMO CODES needed for the discount.


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Winner of the Homemade Convenience Foods Giveaway!

We have a winner for the Homemade Convenience Foods Giveaway selected by random.org...

and it is...

Rebecca! with comment number 15.

Congratulations Rebecca!

Don't forget about the other giveaways still going on right now (see the sidebar).

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