Family Strategies Winner Announced!

Drumroll please....

{add in dramatic silence}

The winner of the Vision Forum Family Strategies webinar giveaway is...

Barcak Flock! Congratulations!!!

Please contact me as soon as possible with your address.

Thank you all so much for entering---if you did not win this giveaway you can purchase your Family Strategies here with the first teaching beginning tomorrow!

Also don't forget about the $25 coupon that ends today making it only $60 if you use the discount code

SAVE25 at checkout (you can use it on any order over $75, and more than once!), it ends at midnight tonight CST. So hurry and don't delay!

An Unholy Church

"An unholy church!

It is useless to the world, and of no esteem among men.

It is an abomination, hell’s laughter, heaven’s abhorrence.

The worst evils which have ever come upon the world

have been brought upon her by an unholy church."

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

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A Father's Regret: Billy Ray Cyrus

I recently came across an article about the celebrity Miley Cyrus and her father's regrets of how he had raised her over at Focus on the Family. You can read the story here:

Billy Ray Cyrus's Regret

He shares this quote:

"How many interviews did I give and say, 'You know what's important between me and Miley is I try to be a friend to my kids'? I said it a lot. And sometimes I would even read other parents might say, 'You don't need to be a friend, you need to be a parent.' Well, I'm the first guy to say to them right now: You were right. I should have been a better parent. I should have said, 'Enough is enough--it's getting dangerous and somebody's going to get hurt.' I should have, but I didn't. Honestly, I didn't know the ball was out of bounds until it was way up in the stands somewhere."

My heart is truly saddened for this father whose daughter has been launched into stardom realizing what he could have done best the first time around--I believe that it is so important to protect our children--especially our daughters. Daughters can be very naive and vulnerable to the world and truly need to rely upon parental guidance even when they don't think that they need it. I also believe that a father can continue to protect a daughter even after she has turned eighteen. Whether daughters live in the home or not, fathers can still play an active role in their daughter's lives through their active love relationship with  them and giving them much-needed, valuable, wise advice.

This should be a wake up call to parents who believe that it is good to be 'friends' with their children and not a parent. Children really do need a parent to be a parent and not a friend--as the article wisely states they will have many friends in a lifetime but only one set of parents. Many times parents can grow weary, feeling like they are alone in their parenting, that they are the only ones setting rules and limitations. A man will reap what he sows,  that is why it is important to remember that we do these things to bring God glory and not to please man---even  if the rest of the world is not doing it.

The image above reminds me how a young daughter adores her father and needs protection. While Billy Ray and Miley made mistakes, just as we all have, we need to really pray for this family and other families that are going through the same circumstances. It is not out of his hands as a father--he can still love her, protect her, guide her and reclaim their relationship. His broken family can be made whole again--with Christ there is always grace, forgiveness and hope.

If you have a wayward child, it is NEVER too late. Chase after them with all your might and do what you can to gain their hearts--our time here on earth is too short. Do it to win him/her for the King.

We also want to avoid any regrets since the window of raising children is also short.
Though we are imperfect as parents

May we learn from another man's mistakes
as we pray for him

and persevere in our convictions
and do our best
without growing weary

in raising our children
for His glory.



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Vision Forum Giveaway! The New Family Strategies and Building Family Culture***WITH UPDATE***

I can't wait for March 1st!

 

Do you know why?

That is when Family Strategies begins, remember when I first shared about it here yesterday?

I can't wait to listen to these encouraging messages and not only that but one of my special readers will be able to as well!!!

That's right---we are having a SUPER exciting giveaway of this new resource,
Family Strategies from Vision Forum of 20 new downloadable messages from Doug and Beall Phillips!!!

Click here for the promising list of titles that are sure to encourage you and to see the video.

How it works:

Get your new Family Strategies message every Tuesday morning.
Beginning March 1, every Tuesday morning for twenty weeks you will receive a link to your new downloadable message from Doug or Beall, hosted at Vision Forum’s partner website BlueBehemoth.com. To access your first download, simply create a free BlueBehemoth.com account and then follow the easy instructions in your weekly emails to download your messages at no additional charge.

Listen to the messages at your convenience on your computer, iPod, or other portable MP3 player. And, don’t worry if you miss a week due to travel. The messages will be there waiting for you.

If  you would like to order this do so by March 1 and save $10, plus receive two bonus messages as a free gift!
At $85, Family Strategies is a 20-message series sent directly to your inbox each week for less than $5 per message. But make sure you order by February 28, as that price will go up! With your order confirmation email,  they will also send you coupons to download two important, family-affirming bonus messages for free: Victories: Moments Small and Large Which Define Christian Parenting, and How to Evaluate a Suitor.

The Giveaway

Now all you have to do to enter this free giveaway (a $95 value) is leave your name and email if you don't have a blog. There will be one winner and this giveaway will end soon so enter today!

Extra Entries:

• Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or your blog. (1 entry each, leave 1 comment each)
• Follow my blog on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe for free. (1 entry each, leave 1 comment each)
• Like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter or sign up for their newsletter (2 entries each, leave 2 comments each)
• Sign up for a BlueBehemoth account.  (1 entry, leave 1 comment)

Hope you win!

Thank you Vision Forum!

*****COUPON UPDATE*****

(A special Wise Woman tip just released---hop on over to Facebook and get  a 25% coupon off your purchase of Family Strategies. But hurry, this coupon expires March 4th! AND now Vision Forum is giving away a $25 off coupon for every order over $75 using discount code SAVE25--this offer ends at midnight on February 28th CST and the coupon is reusable so you can use it more than once!  If you use it on the Family Strategies you get it for only $60!) 

The Homeschool Corner

The Homeschool Corner, our sister site,  has some new posts and new contributors..

click here to meet a sweet mom of 15 children
and what she has that could change your life

and here from Brenda who once was a public school teacher
turned homeschooling mom

There are several others as well and

when I get a chance I will share more about them!

Until then... enjoy!



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I have an excellent giveaway coming up in my next post that you are going to LOVE!

Building Healthy Family Culture

I am so excited to see this brand new resource to help us build up strong homes:

To Survive and Prosper: It’s Time to Think Strategically
About Your Children, Your Household, and Your Family Culture!

strat-e-gies: The art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.

If you are a Christian parent living in the twenty-first century, you need to think strategically about your family. Settling for the priorities and practices of the world is a proven formula for disaster. As parents, we must do more than settle. We must self-consciously choose. This requires strategic biblical thinking. It means self-consciously building your family culture. And whether the subject is entertainment choices, home décor, travel, music in the home, or dealing with antagonistic relatives, it means that wise, Scripturally-informed parents must think creatively as they aggressively engage impediments and obstacles to success.

A 20-Week Energy Boost of Strategic Thinking and Encouragement from Doug and Beall Phillips

Family Strategies: An Invitation from Doug and Beall from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

These are the weekly messages from Doug and Beall that are included:

1. How to Organize Your Home to Promote Family Unity
2. How to Cultivate a Love of Reading with Your Children
3. How to Make Mealtime Meaningful
4. How to Prepare for a Year of Home Education
5. How to Take Children Safely Through an Airport
6. How to Involve the Whole Family in Family Worship
7. How to Address the Plague of “Jive Talk” in Your Home
8. How to Encourage Masculinity in Sons
9. How to Encourage Femininity in Daughters
10. How to Handle a Social Worker Visit
11. How to Wage War on Sibling Rivalry
12. How to Use Household Decorations to Teach Character
13. How to Talk to Your Children about Miscarriage
14. How to Involve the Whole Family in Hospitality
15. How to Build an Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Children
16. How to Watch a Movie As a Family
17. How to Cultivate a Love of Meaningful Poetry with Your Children, and Why Doing So Is Important
18. How to Prepare Your Children to Listen to a Symphony
19. How to Take a Road Trip with Your Family
20. How to Select the Best Locations for Family Vacations

As the parents of eight children and the founders of Vision Forum Ministries, Doug and Beall Phillips have spent the last decade collecting and implementing helpful strategies for building a strong, safe, and visionary family culture.

Now, beginning Tuesday, February 28, they will be sharing some of the most practical and proven strategies for building a vibrant family culture through their new 20-week, 30-minute episodes audio series called Family Strategies. 

Listen to the new Audio Samples here.

If you order by February 28 you will save $10, plus receive two bonus messages as a free gift.
This is a 20-message series sent directly to your inbox each week for less than $5 per message. But make sure you order by February 28, as that price will go up! With your order confirmation email, they will also send you coupons to download two important, family-affirming bonus messages for FREE:

Victories: Moments Small and Large Which Define Christian Parenting,
and How to Evaluate a Suitor.


For about the price of a fancy cup of coffee, you can get real, weekly encouragement  from Doug and Beall in which they share their favorite and best strategies for building family unity.

Click here to order Family Strategies.


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Dear Readers, it is an honor to share valuable resources on this blog to help you build stronger homes to the glory of God!  I thought I would also mention that Vision Forum also has godly resources for children:

V is for Von Trapp: A Musical Family Alphabet

and
Teach Them to Your Children: An Alphabet of Biblical Poems, Verses and Stories

Priced at $17.00 but is now on sale at only $8.50
and you can click here to browse more.

Charming and Simple Lilla Rose Giveaway!

Feminine hairstyles are highly desirable for many women, but many of us think that it takes a professional, time and money to acquire the look that we want. Most of us want to be able to create a beautiful look with our hair, but we also want it quick, easy and affordable.

Enter Lilla Rose!

Lilla Rose has beautiful and feminine hair clips called The Flexi-Clip that comes in all sorts of classy and elegant styles and colors. They truly have something for everyone---and we just love ours!

And no matter how thick your hair might be, the Flexi-Clip can handle it! 

It is the one clip that could handle my thick hair

and make it beautiful at the same time.

(Say good-bye to your scrunchies, ladies!)

And now there are videos for you to see just how easy it is to use-
-here is one teaching the half twist in just 36 seconds!

Half Twist from John Dorsey on Vimeo.

Here is another of how to do the elegant french twist:

French Twist from John Dorsey on Vimeo.

Notice that these techniques are SUPER QUICK and can be used to achieve a beautiful look in no time! It is perfect for us busy women and mothers--also, make sure to watch the sizing video on the site to know what size clip would best suit you!

I am also excited to announce that Lilla Rose is once again generously giving away to one of my readers a Flexi-Clip or any other item up to $15 of their choice! All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address (if you don't have a blog.) It's so simple!

For extra entries:

• Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or blog about it. (2 entries each, leave 2 comments)
• Visit the store and tell me what you love. (3 entries, leave 3 comments)
• Like the Lilla Rose Facebook page (3 entries, leave 3 comments)
• Follow Lilla Rose on Twitter. (3 entries, leave 3 comments)
• Buy something from Lilla Rose. (10 entries, leave 10 comments)

Hope you win!

Thank you Lilla Rose!

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Are you interested in advertising on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home? We are currently having a sale to advertise at three of our blogs for the price of one! Click here for rates or contact me at wisewomanads@gmail.com.

Mothers The World Needs

"Mothers with courage; mothers who pray,

These are the kind the world needs today.

Mother who think, who study and plan;

Mothers who laugh as much as they can,

Having the gift that is better than money--

The habit of seeing that some things are funny.

Mothers whose faith never wavers or falters;

Mothers whose spirits the world never alters;

Loving the right and scorning the wrong;

Facing the problems of life with a song.

Mothers whose bravery transcends their fears;

Winning the battle with patience and tears;

Never submitting to weakness or sin---

Storming heaven's gates till the children are in.

Mothers heroic, not guilty of whining;

Hands graced with service and faces with shining.

Mothers of purity, virtue and faith,

Steadfast in life and triumphant in death;

Looking beyond the dark pathway of sorrow,

Seeking a home in God's joyous tomorrow,

Leading the children; pointing the way---

These are the mothers, the world needs today!

-Kathryn Blackburn Peck



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Going Green and Scentsy Giveaway Winner!

For all of you who don't know, it is very hard to go green with a large family.

But I had always kept an open mind about it and then one day a little package was sent to me to try these out:

These are Wool Dryer Balls from The Willow Store, they work like dryer sheets, just pop two or three in and they help keep your clothes soft without the use of chemicals and reduce the drying time by up to half. They are easy, economical and convenient and can just stay in the dryer to be reused and can last for years.  A great going 'green' alternative for all of you who are into that kind of thing! (Not to mention the fact that my boys loved them since they are in charge of dryer duty and had a blast throwing them all around before they put the next load in! ;)) They also sell all kinds of natural products from diapers to laundry detergent so be sure to check them out!

And now for the winner of the cute Lenny the Lamb with scentpak from the Scentsy giveaway last week is.....

Kristen frommytinykitchen@

A BIG THANK YOU to all who entered! If you didn't win this time you will have another chance next week--so see you then!

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Don't miss any future giveaways or encouragement in your walk
we would love to have you for the journey!

Fathers, Daughters, Butterflies and High Tea

Daughters

need time

with their fathers...

I've heard it's wonderful. 

If you are able to attend, definitely do!

You can sign up here.

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If you are looking for a set of beautiful heirloom teacups to buy for your daughter or her hope chest
look no further! Click here for the perfect set.

The Beauty of Self Control

We all struggle with self control on many different levels, many especially with anger.

JR Miller had some thoughts on this:

"There are men who rule other men and cannot rule themselves.

They are victorious in battle, but they cannot control their own temper, restrain their own speech, or hold in calm quiet their own spirits.

There is nothing beautiful in such a life. Nothing more effectually mars a life than fretfulness, discontent, worry, impatience. Nothing is more pitiful than a life made to be strong, kingly, noble, calm, peaceful, but which is, instead, the play of every excitement, every temper, every resentment, every appetite and passion.

Someone says, “Alexander conquered all the world, except — Alexander.”

Not only is self control strong — it is also beautiful.
Anger is not beautiful. Ungoverned temper is not lovely.
 Rage is demonic.
But a spirit calm, strong, and unflustered, amid storms of feeling and all manner of disturbing emotions,
is sublime in its beauty.

“A temper under control,
a heart subdued into tenderness and patience,
a voice cheerful with hope, and a countenance bright with kindness,
are invaluable possessions to any man or woman.”

-JR Miller, The Beauty of Self-Control



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Are you encouraged here? I personally invite you to subscribe and get the latest posts sent to your inbox or RSS feed! Also, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and get updates that are not posted here on the blog.

Golden Days with Family

Yesterday I had a wonderful day out with my two older daughters. We went out to the mall and bought all kinds of *girly* things. We laughed and talked and joked. We strolled up and down the mall what felt like a million times. We ate lunch and shared our hearts, connecting, bonding. Caring.

Then later we went out with family because my brother-in-law, Israel (he is one of the top realtors in Chicago and if you need one you should call him--he is also a very faithful Christian man who you can trust!), wanted to take us out to a movie and dinner along with the grandparents. At the movies we had the entire theater to ourselves--and we ended up doing a Chinese buffet. Israel played with our children at a separate table. We talked with Steve's parents at another.

It was a simple day, but a golden day. No worries, no work. Just fun and feeling young again. Not a care in the world. Loved being with my family and watching how they have grown. My older daughters are becoming young women. They are some of my closest friends and they know me very well.

Soon these days will be gone, one day they will marry and things will change. My little twins will be older boys and not have time to cuddle. I so cherish this time because I know that it will not last forever.

Mothers, grasp these moments,
for these moments will slip from your hands in a blink of an eye.
Live your life now and pour it into your loved ones
so when you are older
you will have

no regrets.

Have a beautiful day!



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Homemaking Aprons You'll Love

Homemaking is fun especially when you have the right apron:

Love, love, LOVE the blue on this one
Women's Apron Aqua Damaske

But simply adore the ruffles on this one
since I am a *pink* kind of gal!

Womens' Apron Strawberry Shortcake

This red one is quite sassy and is known as
Women's Apron Sassy Red

and this black one is chic and elegant
Women's Apron Sassy Black

Ahhh---this green makes me think of spring, how adorable this would be to wear out in the garden...
How many more days until spring again?

Women's Apron Mint-a-liscious

Charming matching sets -

for girls and moms

to inspire your little homemaker!

The cutest gloves I've ever seen:

in all sorts of cheerful colors to brighten your day!

And don't forget about him:

Yes, it's a cook's apron. And it's masculine. See?

Ha, ha! Just included that for laughs because in the Fuentes household there is always lots of talk about what is manly and what is not.

So, in this home only masculine aprons for men make the cut. :)




Happy Homemaking!


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(Many of these cute aprons are now on sale, so be sure to check it out!  Here is a Wise Woman tip--they have 15% off all aprons with minimum $50 purchase using code VALAPRON. Also note that there are some aprons in the men's category that you might feel are questionable for their humor,
please just use discretion.)

Happy Valentines Day!

-I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.

-My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

-Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 

-Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 

-My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

-Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.

-His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.

-Song of Soloman

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Home and Hearth

What is home without the father?

Strong and wise to lead the way...

What is home without the mother?

Love and kindness fills the days...

What is home without the children?

Joyfull noises, laughs and giggles...

Sweet food on the stove, simmering, music in the air.

Roaring fire, books beckoning strewn about.

Long winter days, daughters sewing, boys a playin',

The family together is what counts.

No need to wait for the golden years---

take a close look around,

for the best years that you have waited for,

have anticipated and looked forward to,

without even noticing it,

has joyfully

arrived.




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Please Don't Read This Blog!

Please don't read this blog if you...

have neglected to care for your husband, children and home today in order to read it.

Please don't read this blog if you...

think that I am perfect, my home is perfect, and my children are perfect and that you would do well to emulate me, because we definitely are not.

Please don't read this blog ...

if you look to it to be your spiritual guide and not the Bible.

Please don't read this blog...

if you value what it has to say over your husband.

Please don't read this blog...

and look at it as a final authority on God's Word.
Search the Scriptures yourself and be like the Bereans.

Please DO read this blog if are encouraged here

and growing in the Lord
and in your ever important role of helpmeet, wife and homemaker.

We are so happy to have you along for the journey~

You are truly a blessing to us

we are so thankful for you

and we hope you are blessed here!

**************



Visit our sister site to view a new vlog on homeschooling!

Sweet Scentsy Giveaway!

Scentsy Wickless Candles are back and take a peek above at their elegant new look!

As I have shared in the past, Scentsy has so many different types of warmers available, you can find something that can fit every room decor of your home.This Doodlebud warmer would look great in a girls room...

If I ever had another baby, this Cherry Blossom warmer would go right in the nursery---I love the color and detail! And because these are wickless candles and wax cubes are heated in the special dish above with a warm light bulb this makes it especially safe for ANY room in your home.

(Have you seen their cute nursery collection? )

They even carry handy plug-in warmers --very chic!

 This beauty is from their Renaissance line. 

For the special men/boys in your life, they offer:

a Sports Collection
a Campus Collection
and a Patriot Collection

AND for the month of February almost everything is 10% off!

Now Toni Swayze, who is an independent consultant for Scentsy, would like to giveaway a sweet and soft little Scentsy Buddy: Lenny the Lamb with a Black Raspberry Vanilla scent pak to one of my special readers! Isn't he so cute (and perfect for cuddling)? The pak included goes safely inside of him .

Now to enter this giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment and tell me what you like at Toni's Scentsy store. It's that simple! Be sure that if you don't have a blog to leave your email.

U.S. participants only.

For extra entries:

• Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. (counts as 2 entries, leave 2 comments)
• Follow Toni's Scentsy site on Facebook. (2 entries, leave 2 comments)
• Sign up for the newsletter.  (3 entries, leave 3 comments)
• Buy something at Toni's Scentsy store. (10 entries, leave 10 comments)

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Would you like to advertise on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home? Our special winter sale of advertising on three of our blogs for the price of one is still on--click here for rates or contact me at wisewomanads@gmail.com

A Mother's Hand

 In the above portrait, there are three generations--a grandmother, mother and child.


I wanted to share some lovely quotes on the influence we have as mother's to remind ourselves as we begin our week: 

A Mother's Hand

There is more power in a mother's hand than in a king's scepter.

--Billy Sunday

A Mother's Song

What a mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin.

-Henry Ward Beecher

A Mother's Knee

Education commences at the mother's knee, 

and every word spoken within hearsay of little children

tends toward the formation of character. 

-Hosea Ballou

The job at hand is enormous, and we must seek God as our guide through every mountain top
and every valley as we raise our children.

"Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up."

Galations 6:9


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Won't you join us on this wonderful journey of motherhood?

And if you would like a simple and easy 
Valentine's Day craft for the children
click here.

You may find beautiful art for your home as pictured above at Art.com


This post is linked at Raising Homemakers and Far Above Rubies.

Sense and Sensibility

Look at the beautiful details of this dress...

It is from a 1780's portrait gown pattern...sigh...don't you just love it?

and look at these:

So lovely and looks like she is straight from a classic art painting...

I suddenly have the urge to watch Jane Austen movies!

My friend, Mrs. Jennie Chancey, has these patterns at her lovely store:


Sense and Sensibility Patterns


Be sure to stop by and visit!

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She also has amazing patterns for little girls too!

Are you encouraged here? I personally invite you to subscribe and get the latest posts sent to your inbox or RSS feed! Also, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and get updates that are not posted here on the blog.