REVIEW ~ 101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home

I was recently asked to review a brand new book on some of my favorite subjects: homemade skin care, health care and home care. And I need to tell you if EVER there were a great "what-book-would-you-recommend-for-newbies" book, THIS IS IT!

101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home by Jan Berry, founder and blogger at The Nerdy Farm Wife.

It has EVERYTHING you are looking for in a book chock-full of information . . . 

~Right from the start, it has a sweet homey cover that just draws you to it

~Even the Table of Contents is exciting  to read: Getting Started . . . , Nontoxic Herbal Skin Care, Naturally Soothing Salves and Balms, Exotic Body Butters and Lotion Bars (oooo, ahhh), Easy, All-Natural Cream and Lotions, Garden-Fresh Bath Soaks and Salts, Beautiful Bath Melts and Scrubs, DIY Lip Care, Luscious Hair Care, Simple Homemade Soaps (any kind your little heart desires), Herbal Home Remedies, Nontoxic Solutions for the Home. And even All-Natural Pet Care!

~The book, itself, is made in such a way that all you have to do is lay it open . . . anywhere, on any page . . . and it will lay open. No laying something heavy on top, no bending or breaking the spine, it simply lays open so that you may read your recipes while your hands are busy.

~The photography is simply beautifully done and all photos were taken by Jan, herself.

~Jan has added a very detailed Resource List of some of her favorite websites.

~Something I don't believe I've ever seen anyone else do, in many of her recipes, Jan has included substitute ingredients and adjustments for using fresh or dried herbs.

~One of my favorite parts is her extensive listing of various herbs, their benefits and a list of recipes she has used them in along with the page number so that you can go right to the recipe.

Jan and her family live in rural Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and as mentioned above, is a writer and photographer for the popular blog: The Nerdy Farm Wife. She write for HobbyFarms.com and Natural Herbal Living Magazine and has been featured in many other publications.

You may follow Jan at these links:
https://thenerdyfarmwife
https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdyFarmWife/
https://instagram.com/nerdyfarmwife
https://pinterest.com/nerdyfarmwife/

I am SO very excited to recommend this book to you. If you know someone who is thinking about growing herbs and making their own homemade skin, health and home care THIS is the book you need to gift them with. And if you purchase a copy for yourself, BE SURE to let me know how much you LOVE this book! 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

9/11 ~ Where Were You?

This is from my DD#2's Facebook post for today. I couldn't have expressed the feelings of the day any better than she did . . . 

"Where were you? It is one of the most popular questions asked every year on 9/11. Where were you? It is amazing how God created the mind; when a tragedy happens we remember it like it was yesterday. I was young when the towers fell; but still remember my day that day. I remember it being the most beautiful clear and sunny sky. I remember worrying about being late for band rehearsal and rolling my eyes at my mom because she said "just one more minute" before we could leave the house . I remember coming down my stairs and seeing my sister and my mom in the living room, sitting there very quietly and starring at the tv with stunned looks on there faces; and I looked at the screen, seeing one of the towers on fire. I ask what happened and they said a plane flew into one of the towers in New York. About 15 minutes later, as we are watching the first building still on fire, my mom was telling us girls that those buildings are so high that airplanes can fly right next to them. And then, we saw a second plane approaching the towers and within two seconds of seeing the plane, it disappeared and a huge ball of fire and smoke was coming out of the second tower. We were shocked and stunned at what we had just witnessed; I remember even the reporter on the tv was at a loss for words and after a few minutes to get over his shock, he said, " The United States is under attack!" For a little girl seeing this first hand, it sticks with you; watching people killing themselves by jumping out of the towers, seeing people bleeding and covered in dust, people trying to contact their loved ones, people finding out that their loved ones didn't make it, brave firefighters and police officers running into a building that they knew would collapse on top of them, yet they didn't care. If I have these kinds of memories by just watching on a screen, I can't even imagine what it's like for the families of these heroes, of the ones that worked in the building or just innocent bystanders to have to relive this every year. When the buildings collapsed, I just remember thinking. "may God have mercy on these people". It was one of those moments where you're just at a loss for words. 

As time has gone on we have forgotten about this day. We don't respect it, some people even tend to forget about it. I know we all have busy lives but is it really to much to ask that you take a moment out of your day for those who are grieving right now? Just say a quick prayer for them; they need it. I love my country, I love the men and women that fight for my freedom everyday, I love patriots and what they stand for. I have not forgotten. And I will not forget. Pray for the families of the ones that risked and gave their lives for this, because they are true heroes. God Bless ya'll and may God Bless The USA. Psalm 34:18"

Never forget.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#115~ A Fool for Christ

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

~ 1 Cor. 1:18

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; 

not many were influential; 

not many were of noble birth. 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; 

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world 

and the despised things ~ 

and the things that are not ~

to nullify the things that are, so that NO ONE may boast for Him."

~1 Cor. 1:26-29

"We in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

We in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong.

So we follow God's own Fool

And only the foolish can tell

Believe the unbelievable

Come, be a fool as well."

~God's Own Fool

by Michael Card

I don't know about you, but I believe we are seeing the birth pangs of the last days. More and more, I look to the sky and wonder, "How long, O, Lord?" 

These days do seem to be dividing the sheep and the goats (Matt. 25:31-46) ~ the middle ground seems to be shrinking. One one hand, the Lord is drawing many to Himself and on the other hand, those who are lost seem to be drifting farther and farther away. Although, I DO NOT give up hope of salvation for ANYONE until they draw their final breath on earth. 

It also seems that "those who are perishing" try so hard to  make a spectacle of "those of us who are being saved." While they blindly believe in such myths as evolution and chance, they laugh and point at us who believe the truth of God's Word, of His creation and the once-for-all sacrifice of His One and Only Son, Jesus, that paid the penalty for our sin so that we may spend eternity with God in heaven. 

Even if you put the Bible aside, secular history and fossil records for geological science record that Jesus, in fact, walked the earth, that the places where He visited were real places, the people talked about in the Bible were real people. Secular "science" says that we "evolved" from nothing, to something, to amoeba, to ooze, to apes, to something-in-the-middle, to human . . . with no proof. Any "fossil record" loudly proclaimed in scientific journals to show some sort of fake "missing link" is ALWAYS quietly retracted at a later date. ALWAYS.

Secular "science" crumbles, but the TRUTH of the Word of God stands forever. Who is the real fool?

To go even further with the truth of Creation ~ Even though modern "science" has never, and will never, prove evolution, it HAS in very recent years VERY begrudgingly come to admit that genetic studies show that it just might be possible that all mankind has a common set of parents. Dare we say it? Dare we NAME them? . . . Adam and Eve?! Some have even dubbed this study "The Eve Hypothesis." 

Secular "science" crumbles, but the TRUTH of the Word of God stands forever. Who is the real fool?   

750 years before Jesus walked the earth, secular "science" thought that the world was flat, even though God's Word said, "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth . . . " (Isaiah 40:22[a]) God told us that the earth was round, a sphere, long before mere man "discovered" it.

Secular "science" crumbles, but the TRUTH of the Word of God stands forever. Who is the real fool? 

Secular "science" understood that the waves of the ocean are governed by currents, but they didn't know that those currents could be charted and systematically followed; that courses could be reliably charted by them until the mid-1800's when Matthew Maury, the Father of Oceanography, began charting currents and proving that they were the road map of the seas. He consistently credited Psalm 8:6-8 ("you made him ruler over the works of Your hands . . . and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.") as his inspiration to prove the truth of God's Word. 

Secular "science" crumbles, but the TRUTH of the Word of God stands forever. Who is the real fool?

Every day, the TRUTH of God's Word is being proven over and over again. Even though the Lord wants us to walk and believe by faith, He is so good to supply a little proof of His love and good works to boost the faith it takes to believe what we cannot see.

God does NOT lie (Numbers 23:19) ~ if He says it, it surely MUST be. 

"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. 

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure . . ."

~Hebrews 6:16-19(a)

If you MUST do something "foolish" in the world's eyes, be a fool for Christ. You will be in great company.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

A Word to Homeschool (or any) Grads . . .

As you start this new chapter of your lives, there are a few things you should consider . . . 
 

1. Just as you spent this time under the protective umbrella of your parents, particularly the headship of your dad, don't forget that you are STILL under the protective umbrella of your Heavenly Father. As the pathways of your life expand, don't forget that umbrella ~ it will protect you both physically and emotionally. Spend time in God's Word to know Him more deeply and to remember where those protective boundaries are. Cultivate your relationship with Him ~ relationships do not grow unless time is spent together. We grow in our relationship with the Lord by spending time with Him, time reading our Bibles, time spent in prayer, time in worship and time in the fellowship of the saints. When you leave home, you may be tempted to take a break from the regular fellowship of church-going or reading your Bible ~ DO NOT DO IT. Some of these disciplines are also habits; once you get out of the habit of fellowship or devotions, the enemy of your soul will give you as many excuses as you want to justify staying away, until you no longer recognize that still, small Voice of your Father. Remember how much He loves you and all He has done for you; how can you NOT want to spend time with Him?

2. Cultivate a willingness to help others. This will help improve relationships in your home and cause you to grow a good reputation within your church and community.
3. Collect “stones of remembrance.” In Joshua 4:4-7, once the Lord had, again, helped the Israelites cross the Jordan on dry land, Joshua had the men gather stones and make a monument to commemorate the occasion so that the generations to come would never forget the goodness of God. Now, I'm not saying that you need to make a monument, but if you think about it, keep a little somethin'-somethin' that reminds you of something God did in your life, make notes in the empty pages of your Bible to record answered prayer ~ because ~ life in this fallen old world is not always good, BUT GOD IS. Every-now-and-then, you will need something tangible to remind you.
   4) Make good friends. A quote recently went through Facebook that said, “The Scripture says in Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with wise men will be wise.” Take a look at your friends. That’s what you’re going to be like in a few years. Hang around people who make you better.” Couldn't have said it better myself.
   5) Don't neglect your family relationships. For better or worse, no one knows you better or should love you more. These are the people who will be with you when you're sick and when you're successful. When times are hard, these are the strong shoulders that will hold you up ~ and you will be there for them. Friends come and go, family is forever.

Now, you will be praised, celebrated, cheered and applauded today ~ and rightly so. But remember that all the praise and glory of a high school graduation could never compare to the thunderous applause of GOD or hearing HIS “well done, good and faithful servant.” Now, it is up to YOU to remain faithful and to nourish and maintain your relationship with Him. THAT will be the greatest accomplishment of your life. And remember, no matter where this life takes you, God LOVES you, YOU are the apple of His eye.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade "Altoid" Mints

Admit it ~ your favorite mints are those little "curiously strong" mints that come in the tins. They are refreshing and somewhat energizing and they are great for clearing your throat and opening your sinuses. And if you're like me, you save those little tins and use them for other projects like homemade healing salve or simple to make homemade chamomile salve.

 google photo

Sorry, I didn't take any photos of my own :-(

Well . . . did you know you can MAKE those little mints, yourself? This little activity could easily become a favorite little gift for CHRISTmas stocking stuffers or office gifts, Easter, Valentine's Day, a little thank you for someone or as a homeschool project. And, certainly, to have for your family.

google photo

You will be so surprised at how easy-peasy this is!

google photo

You will need: 

~cutting board
~rolling pin
~plastic gloves (optional)
~drinking straws (the big ones you have saved from your favorite restaurant work best) or tiny animal or shaped candy cutters
~1 package of gum paste (found in the cake section of your grocery store or Walmart)
~powdered sugar
~cooking oil (optional)
~food coloring (optional)
~essential oil (ex: peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, wintergreen)
~waxed paper

 google photo

Directions:

1) Grab off a piece of gum paste about the size of a large egg, knead it in your hands. It will take just a few moments to warm-up and then it will become a nice pliable dough. If desired, you may use JUST A COUPLE DROPS of cooking oil to make it a little more pliable, but not greasy.

2) Once it starts to become pliable, add 2-3 drops of color (if you're using any) and 3-5 drops of your chosen flavor of essential oil (5 if you want them "curiously strong" :-)) and knead all through the gum paste as best you can.

3) Sprinkle just enough powdered sugar on your cutting board to roll the dough onto. Use your rolling pin to roll the dough out to about 1/8" thick. 

4) Now the fun part ~ take your straw or candy cutters and start punching out those little mints. When you have cut out as many as you can, re-roll the remaining dough out again and make as many mints as you can; repeat as often as you need.

5) Once you've cut all the mints you can, sprinkle a little more powdered sugar over the mints and mix JUST enough to coat them and still see any color you've added; this will keep them from sticking together.

6) Put the mints on a sheet of waxed paper and let them dry and "cure" for at least 48 hours, then you can refill those old tins and put them to good use. 

 google photo

7) Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Easy-Peasy Homemade Oil Candle

Saw this on Pinterest & HAD to share it with you.

The simplest candle EV-ER :-)

You will need:

~as many oranges as our want to make candles out of; each orange makes 2 candles 
~essential oils of your choice (orange, rose, ylang ylang, clove, cinnamon, peppermint . . . )
~cooking oil (safflower or grapeseed oil will burn clean)

Directions:   

1) Gently score a circle around the middle of an orange, CAREFULLY peel so that the middle "string" that goes through the middle of the orange slices remains in the orange "cup" & sticks up; this will be your wick

2) carefully add 20-25 drops of your favorite essential oil to the orange halves

3) carefully, slowly pour oil into the orange halves ~ DO NOT cover the "wick" 

4) light your candle & enjoy

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree . . .

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

Yes, to so many of us, this is an old, familiar tune. Brought out every Christmas just like the ornaments & tinsel we decorate our own Christmas trees with. But do you know why we decorate our trees? Here's a little bit of symbolism to help you ~ and your family ~ appreciate the tradition even more . . . 

Many pagan cultures "worshipped" the Evergreen trees as a sign of immortality but to counter pagan falsehood with a degree of Godly truth, believers started erecting Evergreens on December 24th. Then, to honor Christ's birth Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing in and decorating small Evergreens  at around 1500. Then, by the 1800's the Christmas Tree was well established.

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

In the late 1700's, people started adding more decoration to the Evergreens. They added candles to symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ as The Light of the World (the same symbolism is why we decorate our homes with lights ~ to show the world that our Light has come!) [John 18:12]; ornaments of pine cones, baby's hair, embellished combs, hand-made paper snowflakes and chains, holly and ivy, fruit, cotton batting as snow or "angel hair" . . . items that were special and had meaning to the family. Christians also began to hang wreaths on their doors and in their homes and even small wreaths were hung on the trees. These never-ending circles of Evergreen represent eternity, endless hope and even God Himself as our Alpha and Omega.

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"

And the crown of every Christmas tree is either an angel or a star. Both recognise the fact that a heralding angel of God came to the Shepherds to announce the birth of God's only Son, Jesus Christ, and that a star led their way to the family, find the holy Babe lying in a manger.

And gifts under the tree? Well, that has a couple of meanings. One is that after their long journey following the star, the three Maji (Wise Men) gave gifts of precious worth to the Boy King ~ gold, frankincense and myrrh. The other is that the Lord, in His love and goodness towards us, His children, has blessed us with the opportunity to celebrate His birthday by giving and receiving gifts.   

We truly serve a wonderful Father God, a precious Lord & a tender Holy Spirit ~ they do all the work and we have all the fun.

I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse of our family Christmas tree and the blessings wrapped in brown paper that wait for our family to open on Christmas Day. 

 From my family to yours ~ have a very merry and blessed CHRISTmas.

CHRISTmas blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><   

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Unless you homeschool and teach your children accurate history, then it's been a long time since many of us were in school and studied the writings of President Abraham Lincoln. Or maybe you, dear reader, are not a citizen of the United States of America and have no idea of the beginnings of this national holiday. Tomorrow, we celebrate one of our most-loved holidays ~ Thanksgiving. In most homes, is it a day of family get-togethers with yummy, traditional American foods like turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, corn, rolls; desserts of many kinds but tradition holds out for pumpkin pie ~ with emphasis on the turkey and pumpkin pie with a little bit of football for good measure. :-)

But the greatest emphasis for the day in our family ~ and many other Americans on this holiday ~ is that of THANKFULNESS. Thankfulness for our great country and the freedoms will have enjoyed during our 236 year history and hope to keep ~ but mostly, the recognizing from WHOM they come from. Almighty God. THE One True God of heaven and earth. Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer of all.

To Him, we are eternally grateful for all He has done for ourselves and for our great country.

In remembrance of the celebration of Thanksgiving Day, here is the Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln wrote on October 3rd, 1863, establishing the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving to God Almighty for the blessings He has bestowed upon our great nation . . .

 A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful
fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are
prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of
so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart
which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes
seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been
preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected
and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military
conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested
the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and
coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased,
notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the
consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the
Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me
fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the
whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are
sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and
Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions
justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national
perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or
sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the
Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to
(/insurance)
the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-
three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours . . . Kim<><

Marking the Spot

Just saw this idea & thought you might like it, too.

Have an old book that you loved that simply won't last through another reading, but you can't stand the thought of completely trashing it? Make a bookmark from the spine & keep it's memory with you for years to come. 

This is a great thing to do for your own personal use, but for gift ideas, place-settings for holiday meals ~ mark your family's & guests places with a book title that is a known favorite or suits their personality. 

 

 Photo from Google Images

Got clutter? Glue the book spines to a cheap little wooden box from Hobby Lobby, put your items in the box, put the box on your bookshelf & no one is the wiser . . . many opportunities for use.

Photo from Google Images

I have used old book spines for bookmarks before, but never dressed them up with ribbons or tassels like these. What a great idea!

Pass it on . . . 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#66~ Our Places on the Team (Repost)

I originally wrote this post for a blog I kept years ago; and then I re-posted it here about 2-1/2 years ago. So, since this coming week, our sermon will be on Eph. 5:21-33, & new people read this blog every year, I thought I would re-post it. (With a few tweaks here & there.) I hope you are blessed. K~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 I Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…"

"Feminism is mixed up with the muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands." ~G. K. Chesterson

Ever have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise? When the kids are constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice just keeps getting higher and louder? And then, dear Dad comes home to his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems. But never fear . . .  SU-permom is here! She’ll just take over Dad’s role as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly giving it all over to her. But . . . does that really bring peace to the situation? Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?

There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role in God’s plan for the family. Not accepting our roles is an expression of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.

As SAHM/homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership role when our husband walks through the door. All day long we’ve been giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver, peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge. It’s hard to lay that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.

In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.” He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles) each player plays. “Take away the goal post and the play has no purpose.” When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then make sense. When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great disorder; disorder brings no glory to God. If we see and participate in our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God. God’s glory is our goal!
 
God has specific roles for each member of the family. When women are willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the man they wish they had! We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home. This is NOT about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about restoring the household to its proper place. My friend, Jami S., is one of the most godly women I know. I once heard her say something that I have kept written in my day-timer: “My humbleness will get me further than my pride.” God is a loving God and wants us to understand true submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21) That’s reason enough for me!

Moreover, what is our example teaching our children? Oh dear, I hear that old saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.” What are my children “catching” from me? Just as viruses have a tendency to work their way through a household, attitudes also work their way through. What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?

As we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in prayer. Remember, the man carries the heavier burden. He is responsible before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her . . . ” (Eph. 5:25)

I certainly realize that we SAHM/homeschool moms have a lot on our plates already . . . but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and those loads might just become lighter. Our attitudes will be turned to respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><