the calling of "mother"

In every generation, mothers must answer the call to be what no one else can be, to do what no one else can do for their children. It isn’t that mothers can’t do many other things, but if they refuse to accept their calling as a mother, some child ends up shortchanged, and the empty space that mother leaves echoes for generations. Mothers are neither the cause of all of society’s ills, nor the saviors of the nation. But the future of society does depend in part on what we do with the children under our care. What calling could be more significant or more glorifying to God?

A Mother’s Heart by Jeanne Fleming

a vision statement for a mother

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see it's possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for it's destiny,- she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no other hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." - JR Miller

Homemaking Internship

"But the truth is that homemaking involves so much more than just cleaning a house. The commands in Scripture to love, follow, and help a husband; to raise children for the glory of God; and to manage a home encompass a vast responsibility. Homemaking requires an extremely diverse array of skills—everything from management abilities, to knowledge of health and nutrition, to interior decorating capabilities, to childhood development expertise. If you are to become an effective homemaker, then you must study these subjects and many more.

Finally, back to you, daughters. Let me encourage each of you to embrace your mother’s domestic teaching. Allow her to probe your heart and direct your affections toward the home. And take it one step further. Appoint yourself as your mom’s homemaking assistant. In addition to your assigned chores, be on the lookout for practical ways you can shoulder more of her homemaking responsibilities. In so doing, you will not only receive vital training for your future mission, but you will honor God by expressing your femininity today. In conclusion, let me leave you with these words from John Angell James:

My young friends, let it be
your constant aim, and at
the same time your earnest
prayer, that you may first of all
thoroughly understand your
mission, and then diligently
prepare for it, and hereafter
as successfully fulfill it."

Carolyn Mahaney

Read the whole article here. I'm printing it for my daughter.

Home Remedies for the Natural Mother

I want to write down the home-remedies that we use in our family for my daughter to have on hand when she is grown. This is in no way a guide for others. I may not be held responsible for any course of action that you choose in regards to your own health or that of your family. I plan on adding to this list as we discover new things that work great for our family.

Castor Oil

• warts- dab oil on warts 3 times a day until wart falls off (or put drop of oil on bandaid to cover wart and change bandaid daily)

• sore muscles- massage into skin for muscle pain; from leg cramps in children to backaches in adults

• menstrual cramps- massage onto abdomen

• eczema- put castor oil on eczema daily until it goes away

Onion

• sore throat- cut onion in half and rub the cut side on throat several times a day until pain is gone. It usually will improve within a few minutes.
  

• virus- chop onions into chunks and place in bowls around the house to kill virus and help prevent the others in the household from getting sick. Place bowls on nightstands of the ill to help with respiratory congestion when sick and to kill virus.

• shingles- rub cut side of onion (squeezing juice out) directly onto shingles to help relieve pain and kill virus

Magnesium

• constipation- take 2-6 magnesium in the evening before bed until you find the right amount to keep you regulated. Magnesium taken at the right dose for your body should produce a movement by morning without stomach cramping or other over-the-counter side effects. Healthy digestion is key to good health (it's the core of our body which fuels every other part of our body) so be sure to watch for Dr. Oz's 3 "S"s (smooth, silent, and "s" shaped).

• detox- magnesium helps pull the bad out of our bodies so be sure to get magnesium when sick.

Ginger Root

• upset stomach- 1-2 pills taken for an upset stomach having to do with digestion, indigestion, heartburn, etc.

Ginger Powder

• detox and sickness- 3/4 cups in bath water. After bath rinse in the shower thoroughly.

Marshmallow Root

• reflex/heartburn/stomach ache- dissolve 2-4 capsules into a cup of hot water (making it into a tea) and sip till symptoms subside.

L-Lysine

• cold/flu- take 8-10 capsules a day with the onset of cold/flu symptoms until well.

• achy muscles- take 4-6 capsules for an achy muscles where it seems a virus is settling.

• cold sores- take 8-10 capsules the first few days you think you are getting one until it goes away.

6-X

• cold/flu- taken as drops in water as prescribed to shorten the length of illness

Silver Shield

• stomach flu- take 1 tsp for stomach flu symptoms. Repeat 3-4 times daily until symptoms subside. Follow-up with bifidophilus or acidophilus.

Valerian Root

• muscle tension- take 2-3 capsules before bed to help with muscle relaxation. (Valerian Root is a nervous system relaxant not a muscle relaxant but it has the effect of a muscle relaxant.)

• anxiety- take 2-3 capsules before bed for anxiety/sleeplessness.

• insomnia- take 2-3 capsules 1/2 hour before bed.

Calcium

• insomnia- take 1 tsp powdered calcium gluconate or coral calcium powder dissolved in a little water with some juice added to it before bed.

• stress- take 1-2 tsp powdered calcium 1-2 times a day for stress.

• canker sores- take a pinch of calcium powder and rub it directly onto the canker sore several times a day until gone. It relieves the pain and heals the canker sore quickly.

Tea Tree Oil

• foot fungus- rub onto feet 2 times a day.

Taken daily for good health-

• 1 tsp calcium powder- balances ph, helps with stress and good sleep, helps kids not be hyper

• magnesium- taken daily for regularity and detox

say "thank you"

When I was a child my mother taught me to say "thank you" 3 times for every gift I received from someone. Most children painfully had to offer up one "thank you" for a gift outside their family but my siblings and I had to find THREE opportunities to say it. You can be sure that my mother watched us and counted waiting to hear our 3 "thank you's". Mom said that this insured that the giver heard us say "thank you" and insured that they knew we were grateful. Not that I was to say "thank you, thank you, thank you" all in one sentence....but rather something like this:

1. "thank you" when given the gift or opening the gift
2. "thank you again for the gift" when we part from our visiting to say goodbye
3. send a thank you card in the mail

That was three times. Depending on the gift it was more appropriate to say "thank you" 3 times before parting instead of sending the "thank you" card. But thank you cards were always encouraged as well. I was always taught to send a "thank you" card and in a timely manner. I've not always been good about sending them in a timely manner but it's never too late to say "thank you".

It's especially important to send thank you cards for bridal shower gifts and wedding gifts. These are expensive gifts that guest often have taken quite a bit of time to pick out for you. Showing gratitude is the least you can do. It's very little trouble you have to go to to send a card considering the blessing you have received by the gifts.

In a world that is selfish and usually ungrateful, you can be a testimony of Christ by your thankfulness. Scripture tells us to have a thankful heart more than once in it's pages. Thankfulness will go against the general flow of society that thinks it deserves everything. Don't be the lazy bride or the selfish child. Be thankful and be sure the givers around you know you are thankful.