"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:3-5
I have been very blessed in my life to have women around me (Such as my Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmothers and many other Christian women young and old) who emulate these verses. What a huge help that has been for me as I try to follow this verse as well! Even if you weren't blessed with a Mother who lives this way or other role model like this- I encourage you to work hard and be one yourself! You can do it!
Our world tends to turn the way things should be upside down but let's not let this be one of them in our lives. Life is so much better when we do things God's way!
I love homemaking because for one thing it is what I feel that God has called me to do but there are other reasons as well. Here are some of the great "perks of this job" in my opinion: Getting to spend the majority of my time with and serving those that I love most, Flexibility - I love to be able to make my own schedule and do the things that I like best and Variety- in what other job do you get to cook, craft, decorate, provide transport, story tell, teach, organize, sew, clean, shop, love, plan and go on vacations, garden, keep bees and so very, very much more!
My love for homemaking and desire to share the fun of it with others caused my to think of an idea that I have been praying about lately. I am going to share that idea with you because I would really love to have your feedback and advice! My idea is this: To start a Homemakers group/club that would meet once a week during the summer. I feel so very blessed to have been taught how to do things like make bread, garden and can the produce, sew, live frugally and other things I would love to be able to share that knowledge with others in a face to face situation. I also think that a group like that could be a wonderful time of each person sharing what they know and so each of us (me certainly included!) would benefit from it.
I had figured that each week would have a theme such as bread baking, rag rug making, menu planning, inexpensive fun for kids and families, saving money on your groceries, canning, laundry tips and so forth. I thought it would be fun to start with a short devotion (so many verses apply to these topics!) and then go into our discussion or hands on learning.
Why I particularly want your feedback is because I am trying to decide if this is an idea that others are actually interested in. I put up a couple of polls in my sidebar concerning this and I would love it if you would vote on them (even though you may live a 1,000 miles away- I am just trying to get an idea!) and then I would really love to hear your comments on this idea too!
Have you ever been involved with something like this? Do you think it sounds fun? What topics would you want to discuss?
Thanks ever so much!
I am linking this to Homestead Revival's Barn Hop.
I think it sounds like a GREAT idea. I think finding one or two other people who are deeply committed is key if you're going to do a once a week format. I may try to start doing once a month first. I would love to be a part of something like this!!! WIsh I lived closer.
ReplyDeleteMy second born daughter, Marianna (26) led a group like this in our home once a month, she called(s) it VOH for Vessels of Honor. She took half the time and taught a Bible study sharing prayer request together, and the second half a homemaking lesson. Three hours total (sometimes running over). Sometimes my other daughters would share too or friends who are herbalists, our Christian state rep's wife etc. One time she had godly young men share over webcam on their thoughts on godly young ladies. : )
ReplyDeleteIn the kitchen we would make candy, sometimes we would learn to crochet in the living room, sometimes the girls were to bring their independent projects, sewing, scrapbooking whatever to each do together and share too.
Now that we have moved from the suburbs into the country Marianna holds the VOH meetings at a European bakery style restaurant in the suburbs that has a french atmosphere to it, very homie. It has a meeting room that they let her use for free and Marianna encourages the girls to buy a little something like a coffee or pastry to honor the restaurant's policy on the use of the room. She isn't able to do homemaking skills but Bible studies and prayer journals are encouraged at this time.
The only problem with the homemaking skills in our home is at times we would have 30 girls or so, and some would tend to clique up in other rooms and talk and not blend in with all ages of girls.
Feel free to ask us any questions, Marianna has been doing this for five years. : )
Blessings! ~Amelia
I absolutely love this idea! What a wonderful way to mentor women to be homemakers. I think it would be beneficial to both young women and "seasoned" women alike.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Bible study called Apples of Gold written by Betty Huizenga that I have heard good things about. It is published by David C Cook. I have the book, but have never participated in an Apples of Gold group. It is a mentoring program that specifically focuses on cooking/bible study. But, you might find some resources on their website. http://www.applesofgold.org/home.shtml
I love this idea. I'd like to find a group/classes like that here in my neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteAbbi, this sounds like a wonderful idea. I wish I lived near by to take part in it! Many blessings for your new endevor.
ReplyDeleteKelly
I think this is a great idea! I have in the past invited friends to come for the day with their children to my mother - in- law's to learn how to make jams and jellies. We all bring the fruit - she had the rest and we all went home after a wonderful day learning & fellowshipping with a large variety of jellies and jams. She was thrilled to be asked to share her talents and we were thrilled to learn and have our children start learning. No more jelly from the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea!!! There are many things others can do that others can't. For all to get together to share that would be splendid!! I think it would be a blessing to include the girls as well. Some of the teen young ladies can teach the younger girls crafts, cooking, or anything really. If I lived near you I'd be there weekly!!!!
ReplyDelete*TIME SENSITIVE* Greetings from Kristen Welch (www.wearethatfamily.com) and Jen De Groot. We're compiling the best tips submitted to Works for Me Wednesday into an e-book and would love to include you. Please contact us at thatworks4me (at) gmail (dot) com as soon as possible for more details. Thanks! P.S. I also went through Apples of Gold with my church and really enjoyed it. - Jen
ReplyDeleteCount me in if you choose to do your groups somehow over the internet! I am not sure where you live, but surely it's not by me! LOL. Let's embrace womanhood together and raise out daughters to take pride in their feminity.
ReplyDeleteI would be there in a heartbeat! I recently joined a mom's group at a church, but ended up quitting because there was no biblical teaching. It was just a social hour for all the glamorous women in my small town. What a disappointment!
ReplyDeleteI've hear people do this sort of thing and that if it catches on it is very popular - in fact, high school girls will even enjoy it. I think it is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds like a lovely idea - I agree that weekly could be too much - you will need to do a lot of "reminding" of your group - at least that has been my experience with especially young mothers.
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