Homemaking, A Lost Art Found

I love the peacefulness of these colors on her bed as I open her door, walk in and see it! It's so soothing!

While you're reading, I thought I'd let you peak at something I worked on a couple weeks back for my daughter. I made her a "gentle" rag quilt with muslin and a variation of old colors for her bed.

I wanted to tell you about something else that I've been doing. For the past couple of months I've been leading a Women's Bible Study plus Homemaking Class at our home. It came about because of "talking" on Facebook with my friends about the things I like to do. There are so many things like; sewing, cooking, canning, putting up foods, how to make certain crafts..etc. It was on my heart to do this for about 6 months before we started getting together and I love how it's sort of blossomed into a special time I really look forward to! 

Maybe this sounds like something you'd like to start in your own community of friends? Well, I thought I write about the details so that maybe you'd feel inspired to create your own group.

We start at about 11:30. The wee ones are brought along and are watched by a couple of young ladies here so that the mom's don't have to find babysitters. First we read through the verse for the day and discuss it and other Bible verses that speak about the same general subject.  We're studying the Proverbs 31 Woman and going through it, really just one verse each week.

 Then after about an hour we break for a sack lunch that each person brings. The children are then with us , eating and the ladies chat for a few minutes while eating. I try to have some sort of snack to go along with it. Granola, deviled eggs, pumpkin muffins..etc. It's also nice when some forget their lunch in case I don't have enough lunch to share! (leftovers usually!!)


Her name is Talia Nicole and this label on the back has the meanings of her name as well as a "comforting" verse (because it's a blanket, I wanted it to be about comfort.) :)


Then after our lunch break the women get back together and learn a certain skill that we've already discussed or planned. During our first Class I taught how to make cheese crackers and graham crackers. (One of my favorite things to do is bake something that you *think* can only come from the store!) The next classes were "How to make healthy homemade baby food", "Couponing", "How to sew in an elastic waistband to clothing", "How to make homemade Castille Soap" and the most recent class was "How to give boy's a good home haircut". I can't explain to you how excited I am for other women to come into our group also and share what they know about these things too! I love the fact that it doesn't all have to come from me! We can be blessed by each other's talents! So cool!

Are you bummed you can't be there? Doesn't it sound like fun? Truly, if you want more info, just let me know and I can help you get started in creating your own group! I'd love to help!!

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Still Trudging Along

Remember WAY back when I was talking about where I was reading in my Bible? Well, I JUST finished Deuteronomy this morning. It's been so good for me. Seeing God's power and love for His people is just amazing! He promises SO many blessings to them for their obedience and then they even have promises just for who they are. I am so thankful for this wonderful God we serve! Of course there are 'curses' for not obeying too.

My husband and our little princess, last summer.

 Another thing I've been reading through is a book called, "Your Husband, Your Friend- What a Man Needs and Wants from His Wife" By Bob Barnes. It's been an easy, encouraging read. Much of the book is about simple understanding of the way your husband thinks and what would please him. It's not about control over you, but the Bible does call us to "be subject to our own husbands as to the Lord". It's not about being a doormat but willingly and lovingly serving him.

The "olden days".

The Chapters include topics like: Stand by Your Man's Needs, Stand by Your Man's Differences, Stand by Your Man's Temperament, Stand by Your Man's Decisions...etc.

Camping trip... probably a whiskery hug!

I am nowhere near getting an A+ on this subject but having a wonderful husband makes it so much easier to WANT to please him. Everyday, he tries to do special things for me, whether it's just a small thing that I've been asking for him to get done or taking out the garbage as he walks in the door from work. Sometimes he sleeps on the couch if he knows his tired snoring will keep me up at night. He encourages me to go to girl's nights with my friends... I could really go on and on. And all of this isn't to brag. I just really appreciate who God has given me to spend the rest of my life with. Who couldn't love someone so sweet??  



Derek, on his birthday- the 4th of July! LUCKY!! (with our niece and my FIL)



I know it's not so easy for some marriages though. Maybe you are a Christian and your husband is not. Maybe he never wants to spend time with you. Maybe he's always moody. Because I know God, I know that He would sustain me through those trials. Also, because we've had our own trials, I know that He IS so faithful to His people. He wants us to know He is God and that His is our helper and guide.

This was something that really made me think when I read it last night. I pray for my husband daily but still not enough and not for all the detailed things that I could. Here's a part from the book that encouraged me to pray for him more:

Daddy and his mini-me. They are SO much alike!

page 212

"Pray for your husband and his work each day. The business climate is brutal, and I can tell you that your husband is continually bombarded with all kinds of temptations. Your prayers can help him stand strong and true to you and to his God. As I've said before, I know that Emilie [his wife] has prayed for me for 37 years. I clearly realize how fortunate and blessed I am to have her stand with me in that way.  Emilie has also stood strong in her faith in God's word. Together, for instance, we claimed this verse of Scripture, and it strengthened her prayers for me:

   "But remember this- the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says.  He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 

There were many times when I knew that Emilie's prayers enabled me to "escape temptation's power". I am so thankful for a wife who prays diligently for me. Perhaps you can follow her example. I suggest too, that in addition to praying for your husband to stand strong against temptations that arise in the business world, that you may pray for the following:

-His daily walk with the Lord
-The right kind of friends and associates
-His ability to work in harmony with others
-Safety in his travels
-The ability to make good decisions

-The ability to set right priorities

- Contentment in his work

- Continuous work

- Integrity in the workplace

- Your marriage and your children

Wow! What a list! Because my husband is the one who goes out and 'faces the world', I agree that this is important for me to do. And I'll bet that if my heart is thoughtful, loving and prayerful, that when he comes home, it will be to a more peaceful home. A place of rest for him.  

When I grow up, I want to be the best wife and mother I can be!



This was on our trip to the Great Wolf Lodge last spring.