Proverbs 31 Woman

Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category

Recently, I read a book called Under the Overpass which was a quick read because the reader is drawn into the life of 2 young men who choose to live on the streets for 5 months. They want to put their faith in action and see if it really does make a difference. There’s a website called http://www.undertheoverpass.com for more information.

Prov31 in conjunction with IX Publishing, Inc. is pleased to announce a correspondence course available by snail mail called, “Financial Footings”. This can be taken for home-school credit or just to learn more about finances.

The course costs $125 which includes the textbook (called The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens). Coursework includes 5 assignments and 2 projects. To get started, send a money order for $125 to:

IX Publishing, Inc. PO Box 2578, Dearborn, MI 48123-2578.

If you have any questions email: jane@vvn.net.

Summer is coming to a gentle close and this time of year brings many changes. The children are a year older from last Fall, some have completed k-12 schooling and are onto other endeavors. Perhaps there’s been a wedding in the past year. Or, maybe a grandchild has been born.

Like January, there seems some folks also like to start new habits in the Fall. With the family a year older maybe an older child can help with more food preparation, or food shopping, gardening, lawn care, baby care, housework, family projects.

Do the parents in the home need a little more exercise? If there isn’t farm-work, how about taking a few walks together each week? Perhaps some folks are finding themselves in a whole new phase of life….empty-nesters looking for service or ministry opportunities or almost empty-nesters taking a little more time to connect with adult children who may need some emotional support, encouragement or advice.

As far as service opportunities, they are aplenty. Someone in the immediate family may need help, or a relative or someone from church. A phone call may help, running an errand, an impromptu visit or helping weekly at a newer ministry in the area, reaching out to immigrants from other countries.

Wherever you find yourself at this Fall, give thanks for the great Lord who is the Maker and Sustainer. If you have several younger children in the home, enjoy each day….the baby/toddler/young child days do pass by quickly. As the honeybee fills the honeycomb with honey, savor each moment the Lord gives you. Look at the day’s happenings as opportunities to serve the Lord, to see His hand. Do not grow weary in well-doing.

On the right side-bar of this page under Business you will see Hearts for Family.  That is the website of the Crawford Family.  In this short entry I will review the E-Book offered at their site.  The E-Book is called “How I Make Money Sellling Homemade Skin Products (And how you can too!)”.

The E-Book begins with a description of the Crawford Family, a single income large family, and a project they had of making more homemade gifts.  This soon became their home-business.  There are many helpful tips on starting up, about how much money you need to start up, helpful websites, where to find recipes and such.  Also, Mrs. Crawford also gives suggestions on pricing, keeping financial records, and marketing.

I would recommend the E-book for anyone wanting to start a small business, especially a skin-care business.

Well, the wonders of computer technology, ha! Yesterday I spent a good bit of time reviewing 3 books from Above Rubies and when I pressed the publish button, they seemed to have disappeared into cyberspace. So, I will try again but will give a more simple description this time.

Above Rubies is a ministry that reaches out to the moms/families of the world. They also offer an array of helpful resources. I would like to briefly mention a few and would encourage you to check out the website (Above Rubies).

1. Rejuvenate Your Life – Recipes for Energy is a no-cook book chock full of recipes that have been tried, information about the benefits of eating fresh foods, living on a tight budget and eating well, and more. This is written by Serene Allison.

2. Be Fruitful & Multiply – What the Bible Says About Having Children is a very forthright book about the blessing of children. On the back cover we read, “There is no escaping the fact that the Bible is dogmatically pro-child. In fact, it declares unapologetically that the birth of many children is a source of blessing, that a key reason for marriage is to bring forth many children for the glory of God, and that parents should actively seek such blessings.” Some chapter headings are as follows: Gifts from God, Trust and Obey, God’s Provision, The Vision, What Do Children Say? and many others.

3. The Power of Motherhood – What the Bible Says about Mothers is a wonderful volume that talks about the most influential career in the nation. Loaded with Scripture, this volume is a great springboard into a lifelong study of motherhood and what God has to say about it. If you are wondering if the role of mothering is worth it, this volume would be helpful. There are 24 chapters and more!

So, check out the Above Rubies website and consider reading one of the books recommended.

Stay tuned for a brief review of a family and the natural soap business they started a while back.

Let’s pray for those families who lost loved ones in the tragedy in Virginia.

Let’s reach out to those around us, those God puts in our path.  Is someone sad, distraught?

Let’s be more thankful for the gifts the Lord bestows on us, and use those for His glory.

Let’s appreciate our families, loved ones, and friends – and let them know.

Let’s turn to the Lord and meditate on the words of the Bible, storing truth in our hearts.

“Oh Lord, thank-You that You are sovereign.  Help us to trust in You.  Be with those families who lost a loved

one in the tragic event on the university campus.  May many, many turn to You to find the peace, wisdom and

comfort they need.  In Jesus’ name.”

There’s a new baby in the family, or in a young family you know.

What can you do to assist?  Visit, bring a meal, cook some food for them and put leftovers in little containers to refrigerate or freeze for future meals.  Help the new dad check the fluids in the car(s).  Help do a small home/apartment repair that’s been needing to get done.  Pray with them.  Sing with them.  Hug them.  Encourage them. Rejoice with them. Talk with them.

Take a walk with them.  If they are going to be moving, help pack boxes.  Or, go get a bunch of boxes for them so when the time comes to pack, the boxes will be there.  Buy some packing tape to close the boxes.  Sweep the floors, wash the counters, do the dishes, hold the baby.  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

Serving others takes many shapes……..if we keep our eyes open we will begin to see many ways we can serve the family with the new baby…….even if it means taking out the garbage for them, or changing a diaper, or calming the baby.

We are anticipating a challenging time at our church’s missions fest this weekend. There will be speakers from out of town coming to talk about how God is working in different parts of the world. One will speak about the spread of the Gospel in France; another will talk about local churches sending teams of people out to different parts of the world. We will have times of worship together, and times of prayer together.

This is a time for the whole family to come out and sing, pray, learn, and grow together. We are to go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them to do what Jesus taught us. There will be a book table, too. If you know of any books about missions to add to the book table, let us know!

Hi Everyone: Treasures of Encouragement is the title of a book I borrowed for a couple weeks. The woman who lent it to me said it was one of the best books she’s ever read! The subtitle reads, ‘Women Helping Women in the Church’. The author is Sharon W. Betters and it is published by P and R Publishing.

Sharon explains that from a stable and secure relationship with Christ we can reach out to those around us, especially when they are needing encouragement. Some chapter titles are: Priceless Treasures of Encouragement and Taking Responsibility for One Another in part one, Thinking Biblically. In part two, Living Biblically, a few chapter titles are: Spiritual Mothering, Apples of God in Settings of Silver, and Treasures in the Wilderness of Suffering.

Looks like the book is available from several sources, so pick one up — it’s worthy study.

I was checking some of my favorite sites and came across this entry from Amy Scott’s blog. She writes about reading the Bible to one’s children and the importance of that. She also included some catechism questions and answers pertaining to sin, yes, that’s right, SIN. So many people are afraid to mention that word. Kudos to Amy for including this material on her site called http://www.humblemusings.com

I have thoroughly enjoyed going through the Children’s Catechism with each of my 5 children. Right now, with my 12 yr. old we are up to the questions re: the 10 Commandments. I think learning the catechism gives a good theological foundation for children; I learn alot, too, as I go through the questions and answers. This is in addition to reading and studying the Bible together alone and as a family.

Truly, God is merciful to send His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to take the punishment that His people deserved. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be washed white as snow.”