By Erin, Contributing Writer As the mom of three very young children, I've often struggled with how outside ministry has taken a backseat during this very busy season of motherhood. Before becoming a mother, I truly had no clue how demanding (albeit fulfilling) of a job raising young children is. And simply put, my children are my ministry, and I believe that is how it should be. I am thankful for a mentor who admonished me when I was expecting our first: Your children are [...]
By Stacy Myers, Contributing Writer Some of you clicked on this post out of sheer curiosity…you want to see what this kook has to say. After all, it’s not something you really believe. You don’t REALLY think it’s possible to live free from the bondage of debt. Some of you clicked on this post because your heart’s desire is to live debt free – but you’re not there…you want to know how to get there and you need encouragement. You need to hear from someone [...]
By Crystal Paine, Contributing Writer Ten years ago, when my husband and I were first married, frugality was a must. If we didn't pinch pennies, we couldn't survive -- or at least not without racking up a serious amount of debt and financial trouble down the road. So we pinched pennies, did without, and prayed that we'd make it until the next paycheck came in. Times were lean, but God was always faithful. As our income increased, there was the temptation to also increase our [...]
Written by Stacy Myers, Contributing Writer When our first daughter was born, we gave great thought to how we would celebrate Christmas. It was our desire to make sure she knew the REASON for the Christmas season. We didn’t want her growing up thinking Christmas was about Dora and Diego toys or stuffing yourself full of candy until you couldn’t zip up your pants. Because of that, we set out to make sure we fill our Christmas with family traditions that make Christ the main focus. We [...]
Mother's Day is fast approaching on May 13th. Are you looking for some gift ideas? Here are three simple ideas to bless the moms in your life: 1. Pure Lotion Bars These bars from MadeOn Skin Care are my personal favorites for dry feet and hands (they work on lips, too, in a pinch). I've given them several times as gifts and they always receive a warm reception. You can purchase them in gift packs (in either original Bee Silk, or in Au Chocolat). Another [...]
If you want to learn something, one of the best ways is to learn from someone who has actually done it. Do you want to learn to get your budget under control, cut your expenses drastically, simplify your life, and live both frugally and generously? My dear friend, Crystal Paine, is just the person to ask. Her story speaks for itself. She and her husband began their marriage on a penny-pinching, rice and beans budget of as little as $650-900 (total!) some months, while he went through law school, [...]
Why do you practice frugality? It's such a hot topic these days, how to save money and do more with less. We read about it, talk to our friends about it, put great amounts of effort into living it. What's less common, though, is to examine exactly why we do it. Perhaps it's because money is tight, especially as a single-income family in a dual-income world, and we want to make staying at home with our children a priority. Or maybe it's because of the [...]
Written by Sherri Cook, Contributing Writer The day after Thanksgiving when friends jokingly ask me if I'm finished with my Christmas shopping, I can always surprise them with an answer in the affirmative. At my house, not only have we finished the shopping, we've also finished the wrapping as well as the unwrapping. How do we do this? It's certainly not because we're an ultra-organized family! We have simply chosen to have our gift exchange at Thanksgiving instead of at Christmas. The results? We find more every [...]
I'm Stephanie. Creator of Keeper of the Home. Lover of Jesus. Wife to Ryan. Mommy to four. Drinker of fair-trade coffee with maple syrup and raw cream. Organic gardener. Barefoot, flip-flop wearer. Creative cook and kitchen messer-upper. [Read More …]
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Jessica Smartt on Homemade “Jiffy” Corn Muffin Mix: Simple, Healthier Cornbread, with Three Variations
Jessica Smartt on Homemade “Jiffy” Corn Muffin Mix: Simple, Healthier Cornbread, with Three Variations
Jessica Smartt on Homemade “Jiffy” Corn Muffin Mix: Simple, Healthier Cornbread, with Three Variations
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