Homemaking 4 His Glory

Our Favorite Children's Bible

     We love the Bible and read the King James Version mostly in our home.  However, our children love to hear Bible Stories even before they are old enough to understand, read or hear them from the Bible.  So, we searched for a story Bible to read to them.

     As it turns out another mother many years ago did the same thing.  She searched bookstores to find a Children's Bible she thought would teach her children and endear their hearts to the Bible.  She couldn't find one.  So, she decided to write one.  Her name was Catherine Vos.  Her husband was first professor of Biblical Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, Geerhardus Vos .

     This version appeals to us because it is told in a narrative format.  Almost as if your grandma was sharing the stories with her grandchildren.  It is based on the King James Version.  It was first published in 1935 in a three volume set.  I own it in the one volume set that was published later.  It contains 110 stories from the Old Testament and 92 from the New Testaments.

     Mrs. Vos weaves the story of redemption throughout the stories she tells.  She doesn't water it down.  She uses Child friendly language and you can hear the King James version underlying the text.  She does give some of her own interpretations, reminders of previous lessons and tell the story in summary, so be aware and tell your child if there is something you teach differently in your home. 

     I have found copies in used bookstores and at library sales.. so keep your eyes open.. I will add some pictures of the covers I know of so you can keep an eye out for it.  Oh speaking of pictures.. the Story Bible doesn't have many pictures.  It doesn't really need them.  The stories capture the children's attention without the need for a picture on every page.   

     We use this book from the age of 4.  Usually switching to the KJV at the ago of 6.  This classic children's Bible remains our favorite.  Enjoy the family time, discussion and foundation of God's word as you read these stories. 

    






      Ruth Bell Graham is another mother who used this Bible.  She said of Vos' Story Bible, "I have used The Child's Story Bible for years . . . and can recommend it enthusiastically."

    

The High Calling of Motherhood

     I just finished reading a book that was page after page of encouragement.  I have never met the author but I am sure we would have such a wonderful time of fellowship if we met face to face.  So many words that I read were similar to thoughts I have had, words I have said and were healing salve for some pains I have felt.  Yeah I know.. it was a book.  And I didn't meet the author..  Chimene Shipley Dupler but I feel like I have and that we have walked on many of the same paths on the journey of Motherhood. 

     So I am going to start at the end of the book

                                                            

 yes... that is the end.  So what is the beginning.. you know it.. you are living it.. the fear, the anxiety, the questioning, the wondering, the confusion of so many different views of motherhood.  Motherhood has a different place in our society that it ever has before.  The word "justa" often come before mom... Imagine.. Just a mom.  Just the giver of life.  Just a soul shaper.  Just one given responsibility for a precious soul by God himself.  Just a teacher, trainer, nurse, chauffeur, chef, accountant, housekeeper,  etc is never what people say.. but the woman who does all this and more is just a mom.  So you know the beginning.

     Here is the exciting part~

                                                        
    

     Did you read those words... opportunity, impact. handprint, generations?  How exciting is that?!  We see similar words in many professions.. hear them in motivational speeches.. but we don't always hear them when we are speaking about snotty noses, diapers, getting children to bed and many other required tasks of motherhood.  Yet, these are all opportunities and this book reminds mothers that these are all part of the high calling of motherhood.

     Now you may be thinking I have read similar books before.. I know this is a calling... sure great I am a mom.. that's awesome but I still feel challenged... maybe lonely...  taken for granted.. and so on.  The High Calling of Motherhood takes this all one step farther.  It isn't just about us and our children about the boundaries of our property... this goes beyond...

                                                             

     Go ye therefore.. this is how we reach the world around us.  Now.. today.. in the next generation.. perhaps if we are purposeful and intentional enough how we reach beyond for many generations.    I was convinced of many of the thoughts of this book before I read it.. but it was so encouraging that there is a sister in Christ to which God is revealing the same message and that she is willing to minister to mothers.  This book is a part of her heart.. her calling.. her ministry to mothers, their children and their churches. 

     Food for thought... growth.. inspiration.. motivation.. all in the pages of a book.  The High Calling of Motherhood may help you to see your life as a mother your journey on the paths of motherhood completely differently.  It may reveal some scripture to your heart and allow you to apply it to your life in a whole new way.  It may convince you of messages God has revealed to you.  It may encourage you to reach out and support other women in your life.  

     You are a difference maker.  You are a world changer.  You are a mom.   Yes that is the ending.. if you choose to be.  If  you allow God to use you to be such.  Walk these paths as you read these pages.. pray over the calling .. the high calling of motherhood.

     This feat for a mother's heart and mind is available for pre-order from the following websites.

 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Calling-Motherhood-Chimene-Shipley-Dupler/dp/1620205823

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-high-calling-of-motherhood-chimene-shipley-dupler/1125819957

Ambassador's online retail store: https://squareup.com/store/ambassador-international/item/the-high-calling-of-motherhood {use code “HighCalling” entered at time of purchase for a 10% pre-order discount}

     But wait there is more ~ 

There is a giveaway.. Follow the link below. The winner will get to choose between a custom made “World Changer” necklace by The Giving Keys {that is being unveiled at the Passion4Moms conference} or two tickets to attend the Passion4Moms conference being held in DC, May 5-6, 2017.

https://gleam.io/iAlu8/the-high-of-calling-of-motherhood-blog-tour-giveaway

 

    And if you want to find follow the author or social media here are some links to connect with Chimene

www.facebook.com/passion4moms 

www.facebook.com/chimeneshipleydupler

www.twitter.com/chimenedupler

www.instagram.com/passion4moms

www.instagram.com/chimeneshipleydupler

 

    

 

 

 

The Way Home Beyond Feminism, Back to Reality By Mary Pride

     I am often asked what book helped me to set my course.. you know the one that isn't the BIBLE~  In 1995 I read a book that was so helpful in my seeing a vision of fulfillment inside the walls of my home.  Yes.. not JUST a Stay At Home mom.. but truly loving being home.  Intentionally, choosing to stay home and serve my family.

     This book led me home.. not just physically.. but mentally.. and in my heart too.  It made me see the value in using my time and talents to serve my family and others that God brings to our home.  That home could be a place of study, of creativity, of profit and productivity.  That I didn't need to strive to have it all by balancing working outside of the home and cleaning, running errands etc when I made it home finally.

     Yes, sometimes the tone of this book is a bit rough around the edges.. but the author's desire to love the Lord and share truth with fellow sisters in Christ is clear.  Will this book lead you home.. I don't know.. but hopefully it will soften your heart toward your God and your family.. hopefully it will lead you to the Bible to evaluate the choices available to you.  Read it.. throw it .. pick it up and read some more....  For me, this book is a reread when I feel like I am spinning my wheels.. share its concepts, talk through them.  But don't ignore this book....

A life changing book ~Early To Rise By Andy Traub

My husband has worked shiftwork the first 18 years of our marriage. I was determined that we would spend the most amount of time together as a family no matter what his work schedule was. So we always worked our schedule around his. I eventually started sleeping from 2AM to 8AM about ten years ago. And it worked on both of his schedules 6AM - 6PM or his 6PM to 6AM. My children mostly slept from 11-9. I would get up at 8 and have an hour before they awoke to have Bible Study, get dressed etc.

Every now and then I’d read a verse about rising early.. Or a book that suggested waking up early.. Sometimes even an article on successful people and how they were up early.. And I’d think yeah I should get up earlier.. Of course that would require I go to bed earlier.. And I was used to 2Am.. I would get a decent amount done in the late nights.

Then my husband’s schedule changed.. And I’d try to change my schedule and get up earlier. And I’d fail. So, a few months ago I bought Early to Rise by Andy Traub. And It has this great feature where you can listen to the audio… He will send you an email everyday. The book has a page to read everyday. It is very doable. Andy has done everything he can do help you, short of coming to stay at your house for a month. And so I thought yeah someday, I should do this. We are moving across country a lot is already changing why would I want to do that now?

Then the beginning of June I decided I was going to do it. I am a woman.. Sometimes we just change our minds I have heard. I haven’t set an alarm since 1995 and yet here I was setting an alarm. I decided I would go to bed at 11PM and wake up at 5AM. The book is much gentler he suggests just waking up an hour earlier than your normal time. I am an all or nothing girl so just took the plunge. So I went to bed at 2.. Got up at 5.. And I was ready to go to bed at 11PM.

Here is the amazing part I am on day 29 of this 30 day challenge. My phone wasn’t charged last night so I had no alarm but I was up at 5AM. Yes, it helped that I was already trained to sleep 6 hours. And it helped that I don’t usually use an alarm but it was still amazing. I am an Early Riser!

The Bible is the book that has changed my life the most. I have read books that gave me a new idea or changed my lifestyle. This book changed my sleeping habits and how I use my time. Bible Study, reading and writing so far is what my morning looks like. I hope to add exercise. My children are up by 7 most days, and in bed by 9. Our home has changed in many ways because I am up at 5.

I bought the softcover book using my Amazon Prime account and the kindle version came free with the KindleMatch program. I also bought the Early to Rise for Moms but I haven’t enjoyed it as much.. I think because it has many different authors.. It does contain more than 30 days ~ and is written by moms who took the challenge. So it is a worthy companion book. Andy Traub’s Early to Rise is life changing~ he will teach you to ship, introduce you to Fred and encourage you to live a better than average life. We all want a few more hours in our day ~ and here they are ~ just wake up and use them wisely.

The Beginning of my Homemaking Journey

     I was newly married.  We were renting a winter rental.  We didn't own much - the house came fully furnished  - I mean fully - plates, pots, forks etc.  We had some clothes and a few other things.  I worked full time, we cared for 3 children on the weekend and had youth group, missionaries, friends etc in and out on the weekends.  I cleaned - prepared - planned and handled it all.  This book was the basis.  Helped me to see my work at home as important. ~ how to serve others, how to prepare and be ready.

    This book is what helped me to organize our stuff... as we began to accumulate.  The book has been republished but this is the cover when I first read it.  I still organize our stuff with office boxes and index cards.  This book encouraged me to grow and learn - that home was important and manageable. 

     This book was the next level from me - I moved from a notebook with tabs to index cards.  This book has also been updated with a new cover.. but when I read it WAY back then... it looked like this.  The Sidetracked Sisters helped me to grow into routines as we moved to our own apartment and added our first child and my mother to our home.  This book is the basis of Flylady and still a wonderfully helpful read.. Yes I still own the copy that looks like this.

     I was blessed to have many women in my life who have influenced me.  Yet I felt on my own when trying to set up my own home - to do things MY way.  These books are dear friends that I am thrilled to introduce to you... Friends that encouraged me ~ May they encourage you should you choose to get to know them better,

Have an Adventure

I love children's books - I know I am an adult.

Books Fall Open

by David McCord

Books fall open, you fall in
Delighted where you’ve never been
Hear voices not once heard before
Reach world on world through door on door
Find unexpected keys to things
Locked up beyond imaginings
What might you be, perhaps become
Because one book is somewhere?
Some wise delver into wisdom, wit and wherewithal has written it
True books will venture, dare you out
Whisper secrets, maybe shout
Across the gloom to you in need
Who hanker for a book to read.

   I sit and read to my children easily an hour a day - sometimes 2-4 hours a day.  We are currently sharing the adventures of Betsy And Tacy.  Boxcar children book two is ready to be opened we just finished the first book and though we so the ending coming were glad when it happened.

    Not sure where to begin your adventure?  Start with what you enjoyed as a child - Little House on the Prairie, Heidi, Little Women were some of my favorites.  While reading to my children I have discovered new favorites The Twenty-one Balloons, The Education of Little Tree, Ginger Pye and others have fascinated  us.

   If you don't feel comfortable reading out loud, can't for long periods of time without losing your voice or spend a lot of time in your car or quietly in a room working on projects as a family don't overlook audio books.  We listened to The Courage of Sarah Noble on two car trips recently and my children have been heard telling themselves to keep up their courage.  I love when they are inspired by books.  Jonathan Park has been a new discovery for us - lots of information to learn but entertained the whole time. 

Read - Let your children see you.  Read to them.  Compose stories about your family and read about them.  Find books that give your more ideas of what to read - Honey For A Child's Hear - Books Children Love are on my shelves.  I often see what homeshool catalogs or what specific curriculums recommend FIAR, Sonlight, Ableside.  Take your children to the library - head to a local bookstore for storytime - host a story/craft time in your home. 

Looking at a book often makes me think of Winnie the Pooh's quote

When I first saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen!

How to use paperbackswap

Here is the best way I have found to use paperbackswap.  I go through catalogs or websites that have books or suggestions I like and then put those books on my wishlist - I think they allow up to 200 items on your wishlist.  If the book is entered into the system they will offer it to you first.  If there is a book that you are sure you want you can put it on auto request and when it is entered they system will accept it for you.

If you don't want to package and mail books you can just buy book credits.  I don't mind shipping books out especailly when I know when I want a book it will come to me for Free.  I do try to keep 10 credits or so available.  So if a book from my wish list is posted I have credits available.

Another good way to use the system is to buddy friends on Paperbackswap - you can see each other's lists and even share credits!  I have been able to get copies of books I like to give away - Me? Obey Him - or get bbooks for our homeschool.  I do sometimes splurge and get books for Me with no Guilt. 

The system is easy to use and a great way to save money.  Don't forget to Buddy me if you join!

Paperbackswap info- you may want to consider joining

'Here is a great way to trade, recycle, declutter books from your home. I love this site!'

Do you have any used books lying around? Ones you've already enjoyed, but you're never going to read again? I did, and I finally found a great way to share them with other people!

It seems that a few guys were sitting around one night talking about all the paperback books that they purchased over the years while traveling on business. Each of them had a large stack of books that they had read, so they decided to set up a website at http://www.PaperBackSwap.com/ that allows all of us to swap books with each other.

Let me tell you how it works -- because it is so easy! I listed a bunch of books on the site (listing 10 books gets the first member in your household free credits!) and I got 2 free book credits to get started. So you can order 2 books right away - free of charge -- and have them mailed directly to you! No strings attached. No gimmicks. No spam mail. Nothing. You just have to love reading books.

When another member selects one of my books that I have listed, I mail it to them. Yes, I pay for the postage. But then I get another book credit and I can select a book that I want. So another club member returns the favor and mails me one of his or her books free of charge. For every book I mail out, I get another book in return - a true shared system!

And when someone requests one of your books, all you have to do is print two pieces of regular paper from your printer which includes the mailing address and the recommended postage. Apply the postage, and drop it in the mail. Hey, for a typical paperback, you don't even need to go to the post office.

Right now the annual club membership is free. Eventually the founders will ask everyone to help contribute to pay for the upkeep of the web site, but for now the annual club membership is free. The annual dues will probably be between $10 and $20 based on the number of people in the club. But again, right now you don't even have to pay any dues for at least one year if you become a Member.

You really need to check this out. And if you do sign up, please use the following link:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?r_by=love2beHis%40yahoo.com

If you use the link above to join, I'll get a free credit when you post your first ten books (and you'll still get free credits for posting them!)

For more information about the site, you can visit the Help area, by clicking the link below, and select 'About PBS' to read how it works:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_index.php

Best Regards,
Janet Martin 

~Library~

The Free Public Library is an awesome place to help with your personal growth - entertainment - education of your children  - family activities - socialization etc.  The problem I often hear is that the library gets expensive.  Fines scare many people away - lost books - late returns etc.

http://www.libraryelf.com/ can help with that - they can email you when your books are due - when a book on hold is ready etc.  Don't skip the library - it is a great way to save space (you don't have to buy and keep books that you can check out) and a great way to save money.  Be sure to check for online catalog - the ability to put items on hold - interlibrary transfers - audiobooks online - all great services that may be beneficial to your family.