Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Wise Woman Linkup!



A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on  building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:







It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!





















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Monday, June 25, 2012

In Hard Times Mothers Set the Tone



They were struggling through hard times and could barely put food on the table.

Struggling pay check to pay check and the ends just never seemed to meet.

Mother took the little she had and went to the store, holding back the tears as she walked through the aisles and bought a small pack of potatoes, enough to feed her family for the night.

She came home and put on her best smile and her apron. She started preparing the potatoes for the family that she loved.

The children swarmed all around her--"Mother, mother, would you play with us?"

Mother sits down and realizes a decision needs to be made. They do not need to know of the heavy burden she carries.

She plans out the day--they clean and tidy their little home. She is careful to smile, to love generously. She does her best to fill their day with song, laughter and games. They make crafts out of paper for display. That is what she has much of, she will fill her home with the riches of love.

When the children grew up they were asked if they remember growing up poor. Each one looked at another with bewilderment. Not once in all their days did they every feel the poverty that beheld them, for it was anothers sacrifices that kept their growing hearts in true treasure---for they had the riches of a mother who loved them. 























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Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Blessings of Being at Home



Did you ever think about the blessings of being at home?

I was thinking about this last week--about how hard my husband works so I can do all the things that are so easy to take for granted on a daily basis. When our husbands are at work they are making the selfless sacrifice of being away from our children so that we can stay home and nurture and watch over them.

I get to love on my children all day, hug and kiss them, hear all their stories and cute things they say, fix their ouchies, feed them, watch them grow, witness their first steps, hear their first words, help keep them on right paths, and be available for many other milestones. He misses these important moments because he is away and has purposefully made that sacrifice as a loving father. For that I am grateful! I do not want to take these precious moments for granted. Wives, if you have been blessed to be able to stay at home and watch your children grow, remember to have a grateful heart. It is so easy to feel over burdened and ungrateful sometimes but we have truly been given a precious gift.

We need to appreciate our husbands more. I like what I read this morning here: 

 "We need women who set their hearts on making their homes pleasant, sunny, and fragrant for the husband. He who works from dawn till dusk for the little home and wife and babes, look forward to the warm welcome that awaits him when the long day is over; of the bright smile and the love words that will be sure to greet him when he crosses the threshold of his own words that will be sure to greet him when crosses the threshold of his own little Eden; of the cheerful fire in winter and the humble meals made so delicious by the love that prepares it and the sweet words that season it.

This rest, security, and peace will encourage the overflowing heart of the husband and father and brother to think and to say that there is no spot on earth so dear and so blessed as the little sanctuary built up and adorned and made full of song by a true woman's heart.

O' woman, if you only knew how much you have it in your ability with Christ's unfailing assistance, to make true men of your chosen husband and sons, as well as true women of the little girls who will someday fill your apron..."


Wives, don't forget to hug your husbands today and thank him for the special gift he has given you! Bless him by creating a home that is welcoming to come home to and make your sphere of home a place that refreshes his heart and readies him for tomorrow's battles that lie ahead.



























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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Home as a Refuge and Wise Woman Linkup


 "A home is a refuge, a place of rest, a haven of content, where the burden of everyday life are relieved. No matter how humble the home may be, how destitute its stores, or how poorly it inmates may be clad, you will find a friendly welcome from heart beating true to your own. The chosen partner of your toil has  a smile when others have deserted you, a hand of hope when all others refuse, and a heart to free your sorrows.

It should be the duty of all to strive to make home so happy that each evening will furnish pleasant memories to lighten the load of another day. Make it so happy that you do not tire of it, but long for the hour when your day's toil is over, and you desire to reach it because it is the happiest and dearest place on earth."




A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on  building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:







It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!

























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Homemaking Fun: Fruity Summer Drinks

One of the best parts about homemaking is being able to do the special things for your family and add the little touches that make a house a home...


I love now that it is summer my mind can turn to relaxing slow days and leisurely filling my calendar with things that I have been looking forward to doing.  Summertime is the time for cool drinks by the pool, BBQ's and the beach. Fruity drinks are a summertime delight and I'd love to treat myself and my family to this Pineapple Strawberry Cooler that you see pictured above.


 Here is another great idea-- frozen fruit ice cubes gives you an opportunity to have several kinds of flavors all at once, look festive AND helps everyone stay cool. This would be great for children as a snack on a hot summer day.



And Fuss Free Cooking has some excellent ideas on Fruit Infused Coconut Water that I would also like to try. As child and I remember spending my days, when we lived on the island of Guam, happily breaking open fresh coconuts with friends from palm trees in the neighborhood and drinking straight from the shell to get that refreshing coconut water. How I miss those simple times! Childhood seems to slip by too quickly...

What special plans do you have planned this summer? Are you planning to go anywhere special, take on any new projects, recipes or planning extra fun? If so, I'd love to hear them!






















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Monday, June 18, 2012

Beauty in the Moment



This summer I have been really thinking about enjoying, relishing, and truly being in the moment.

How we miss so much because we are in a hurry.

I think sometimes as moms since we are so prone to multi-tasking, it actually works us against us sometimes. We can be there--but yet still a million miles away or not viewing life as we should or could, robbing ourselves of the very beauty and gift of life around us.

I want to slow down so that I don't miss any of it.

This post says it so clearly:



 "..I need a slow life so I don’t miss noticing these. I need my heart in a place that I can see and celebrate this, not think “Time for another haircut. Didn’t we just get it cut? Add another thing to the list.”



I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

























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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Honoring Fathers




 A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, 
and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."

-- Billy Graham



Dear women, do you have a godly man in your life? Love him today by showing him appreciation and respect. In a Christian home, these elements are fundamental to a strong foundation. And when hard times roll, remember to give him sweet grace as he (like you) is a work in progress.

I enjoyed what Doug Phillips had to say on Fatherhood:


"In an age when manhood has been all but emasculated by the culture at large, fathers need encouragement to embrace their God-ordained role as family shepherd and patriarch. A man of God who stands for truth and leads his family in the ways of the Lord is a powerful witness — one deserving of encouragement and honor."

Read the rest here.

Also, Pastor Mark Driscoll wrote a good post for Dad that my husband shared today:


5 Godly Ways to Be a Good Dad

So wives, if you husband is looking for some good reading this morning feel free to share the above links with him and praise him if he is trying to do these things.

And lastly, if you would like a FREE Father's Day Gift for your favorite dad, click HERE.


Have a fabulous day!


























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Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Heart of Simplicity is on Kindle *AND* Kindle Fire Giveaway!


Today is the LAST DAY of our fun {almost) Summer Week of Giveaways and we have one last exciting giveaway to share with you!

The response to the launch of our new eBook, The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking, has been overwhelming! We were so pleased to see the reach this book has gotten in just two weeks--to God be all the glory. We hope and pray it will be a blessing to many families!



We are also happy to announce that The Heart of Simplicity is now available on Kindle and to celebrate, we want to give away one Kindle Fire e-reader!!! 

 To be considered for this prize, you must subscribe to The Heart of Simplicity. There are also a number of other (optional) ways to gain more points toward the prize and  many chances to win as you check out the Rafflecopter widget below.



If you’ve already purchased the eBook, either in PDF format or on Kindle, great! You automatically gain entry points in the giveaway. If you wish to purchase the book--

Click HERE to purchase The Heart of Simplicity in PDF format.
Click HERE to purchase The Heart of Simplicity in Kindle format.


You may enter to win the Kindle Fire giveaway here:



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Hope you win!

Don't forget to share this giveaway with your friends!






















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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Roses and Teacups Giveaway!


As we move forward with our {almost} Summer Week of Giveaways, today I would like to introduce you to our newest sponsor, Roses and Teacups!



Roses and Teacups is pretty much your one stop for all things beautiful. You can find a multitude of teaware, jewelry, stationary, purses, shawls, aprons, chocolate, soaps, hats, pens, vintage stickers and stationary and so much more. It is a Tea, Bridal and Home Boutique all wrapped into one. Honestly you could just spend hours looking around there. There is THAT MUCH!

Here is one my favorite finds from them. This is called Morning Mist--Silver Spoon Bracelet with Broken China Jewelry. I just adore it!




Here is a peek of some of the other lovely items that can be found there. Lace, vintage earrings, cake and cupcake stands, Victorian items and much more.







Wise Woman Tip:

You can get 10% off sale at the moment with the discount code of PEONY12.





The Giveaway



Roses and Teacups would like to give away one

Yellow Roses Vanity Tote
~ Display Pail ~ Lunch Purse  $29.99


Use it to carry a paperback, stationery, knitting and of course, lunch! 
Set it on a bathroom counter for your make up and hair brushes, or fill it with rolled guest towels.
It's the perfect container for a silk or fresh flower arrangement.
Fill it with beauty products for a fabulous gift!


You can enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Hope you win!

Thank you, Roses and Teacups!

 




(Pssssst-----stay tuned for tomorrow, we will be offering you a chance to win a Kindle Fire!)
























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Delicious Avodah Coffee Giveaway and Wise Woman Linkup!


Something you might not know about me, is that I am a morning person. I love getting up sometimes at the crack of dawn and beginning the day with the Lord and a good cup of coffee in my teacup. I love a good coffee to go along with my favorite Baileys Creme Brulee creamer, so when I heard about Avodah Coffee, I knew I had to give it a try.

Jessica sent me some Morning Brew and Monsoon Malabar- yummy, roasted blends that were just delightful! It was so good that I even shared it with all my church friends who came over to my house this past Sunday (we had a packed house and they really enjoyed it too!).

Here is a peek of the family behind Avodah Coffee:


What does Avodah mean?

"The word Avodah is Hebrew, and describes action that is simultaneously work, worship and service. It means that the work we do is more than a job – that bringing the awesome to our customers is about serving you, the farmers who grow the coffee, and those who benefit from the organizations we support.  All this combines under a lifestyle of Avodah, through which all we do becomes an offering.  When you see Avodah, you know you’re getting great coffee with a great purpose. All this combines under a lifestyle of Avodah, through which all we do becomes an offering.  When you see Avodah, you know you’re getting great coffee with a great purpose."

 I just love that they give a portion of the proceeds from every sale to charitable organizations that exist to change the world!  What a blessing to see Christian families helping the needy near and far.

The Giveaway

Avodah Coffee would like to give away to two winners their choice between a full size coffee bag or a sample pack!

You may enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway



And don't forget to link up:


 A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on  building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:







It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!





















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Monday, June 11, 2012

I *Love*Blessings Unlimited (& Giveaway!)

Here at the blog we love to share wonderful Christian companies with our readers and I have to tell you that I cannot wait to tell you about Blessings Unlimited.



Do you see that beautiful apron above? Well, it was sent to me recently and I'm telling you, it is so pretty I don't want to take it off! You can't tell in the picture but at the bottom of the apron you will also find a multi-colored 3-tier ruffle...

*I love ruffles!*

I posted this picture on Facebook and someone actually thought it was an outfit and thought it would look pretty with leggings. Ladies, I am telling you, this apron looks fabulous with everything and I am even tempted to wear it to the store, to the library, and to church (yes, I am that weird) because it is that cute.

And they also carry some other beautiful items that caught my eye like these lovely, inspiring cups:





With darling matching plates:




And there was so much goodness to share with you, I knew I couldn't fit it all in so I had to make a collage:


Don't you just love it?
(you can click on the images) 

They also sell totes, wall decor, home accessories, gifts for him, books, cards, and much more.


You can check out their items HERE.



The Giveaway


Marci, who is an Independent Consultant for Blessings Unlimited would like to generously give an item of your choice of up to $50 to one special reader!




You can enter here:











Hope you win!

Thank you, Marci!
















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New: How to Design Your Blog for FREE eBook and 5 Copy Giveaway!



Many of you know that I am a blog consultant. In my free time I work with other bloggers to teach them how to monetize, advertise, and set up new blogs, and I really do love it! I do, because I get to meet some of you and show you how to earn an income while staying at home--and that in itself is a huge blessing.

And now I want to share with you a fabulous book that I highly recommend and will help you with your blogging! Introducing: How to Design Your Blog for FREE by Jacinda Vanderburg of Growing Home. 



 Jacinda has written a wonderful eBook about how to do all the stuff you have always wanted to know but did not want to pay a designer to do. In this easy, simple to follow eBook you will find how to:


How To Install Your Header
How To Install A Button
How To Create A 2-Column Row of Ads
How To Install A Button With A Grab Box
How To Install Social Media Icons



all for the low price of ONLY $4.99!!!!


Here is what she has to say about it:

  "...I explain in complete detail every step it takes to create and install your own customized headers, buttons, banners, Facebook covers, photo tabs, eBook covers, social media icons - as many things as I could possibly think of! 

I've included visuals for each step, and made the installation process a painless ordeal by providing codes you can simply Copy & Paste. You don't need Photoshop or any other expensive tools since everything is designed using a free, online photo editor. 

The best part? It costs a fraction of hiring a professional designer and once you've learned the skills, you can change the look of your blog whenever you want! "


And to bless our readers Jacinda is giving away 5 copies of her new eBook on our blog!

You can enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway




OR just buy your COPY HERE.




Trust me, you will love it!

























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Click here for our rates or contact me at wisewomanads@gmail.com




Saturday, June 9, 2012

A Wise Man Once Said...


Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life. 

Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 

Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you. 

Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm. 

Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil. 









Do you know the Lord? If not, click here.


Need a church family? If so, click here. 




Stay tuned...tomorrow we start this:

 
























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I Refuse



Today we have a guest post by Bambi from In the Nursery of the Nation:

I refuse to believe what I do is unimportant, that it’s a job I can pay someone else to do. These duties are mine and no others. And they are not just responsibility, but privilege, no matter how messy the job or hectic the day.

I refuse to believe that loving and submitting to my husband makes me weak and spineless. It takes much more strength to submit your will to anothers than to bow at the altar of Self. We are a team not to be reckoned with…fighting spiritual battles side by side, each in the role God has called us to.

I refuse to believe that pregnancy is too hard, the days are too long, the work is unrewarded, the groceries too costly or the laundry mountain too high.

I refuse the devil’s lie that I am wasting my gifts, wasting my intelligence, wasting my youthfulness, or wasting the best years of my life by being a homemaker.

I know better.

I am a queen. Queen of my husband’s heart, queen of the schedule this family operates under, queen of this tiny sliver of God’s Kingdom called Home. My words and convictions have the power and influence to shape this nation’s future.

Resolved:

To look past the temporary inheritance of a bigger house, a great 401K, plenty of leisure funds and only enough children we can afford to send to name-brand colleges.

Resolved:

To live my life swimming upstream for Jesus no matter how angry the other fish get. My priorities will not be determined by what society expects of me.


I’m on a divine mission. Little souls hang in the balance. And I refuse to believe they're not worth the fight.


Resolved:

To see a bigger picture instead.















 Bambi has been the blessed wife to Kevin for seventeen years, and together with the Lord’s help they are sharpening eight arrows ages 16 to infant. Bambi is partial to strong coffee and good books, and spends her days managing a busy, happy home. You can visit her blog, In the Nursery of the Nation, where she blogs about marriage, motherhood and family discipleship.






















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The Heart of Simplicity Now Available on Kindle


Yes, it's true.

 It's now available for your Kindle--and I wanted to let you know since so many of you asked!

You can get it HERE.






And....stay tuned because we are going to have some fabulous giveaways
for our special readers next week!








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The Two Headed Monster




Rhonda from Walking with Sarah has written a timely reminder entitled:






Enjoy!























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Friday, June 8, 2012

Discontentment: Living Above One's Means


There are many women who have brought their families much sorrow because they have wanted to live above their means. What does "living above one's means" really mean?

Well, it means they see people all around them who look as if they have more material goods, people who are living in bigger houses, people who are driving expensive cars, people who wear designer clothes that cost 50 times more than just decent, functional clothing. They watch these people and then they want to have what they want. 

Did you know this is breaking of the Ten Commandments? It is breaking the commandment "Thou shalt not covet. " That is wanting what someone else has and it is wrong.

-Pearables, Personal Help for Girls: Nurturing a Sweet and Virtuous Spirit (Character Curriculum for Tomorrow's Mothers)























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