Eager Hands

I had the pleasure of Mrs. Wilt from The Sparrow's Nest (one of my very favorite blogs!) interview me. Not only did she do an interview, she did a product review on my Basic Cake Decorating DVD. I truly value her review because she too bakes and decorates cakes. Her words were very kind and gracious!

I am posting the interview here, but you may want to hop on over to her blog for the comments that followed, which were a little surprising to me. How can anyone equate teaching practical skills or a love for home as a cult?

1. Kathy, it is a pleasure to be able to ask you some questions about your home business, Teaching Good Things? How did it all begin?

Thank you, Kelli, for giving me this time. My daughters and I are loyal readers of yours!

A few years ago my daughters (then 10 and 13) and I joined our local quilter's guild. We fell in love with quilting. We wanted to pass this skill on to our fellow homeschoolers, so I thought I'd write an easy to understand book for girls. A friend suggested I make a DVD instead. This started us on a course for our website and making DVDs on several different topics. After months of trial and error we produced our first DVD, Basic Cake Decorating.

We want our website to be a place where parents can come to find information and resources to help teach their children learn practical skills.

2. I totally agree that children need to be taught "good things" in order to become hard workers. How did you implement this in your own family?

I think the main thing is that we have never had a lot of money, and we have strong convictions that I need to be at home with the children and homeschool them. So I guess you could say our circumstances have made us be creative, and for that I am thankful!

My husband and I are pretty industrious people, so our children really had no choice. We didn't allow for a lot of idle time. Even now that our two youngest are in their teens their idle time is limited, mainly by their choice. We want them to always have a project to be working on. Sometimes the project may be a way to make gifts or to make money and sometimes it is a way to serve others.

As a family, if we want something done, if at all possible, we do it ourselves, whether it is repairs, improvements or gift giving. There is such satisfaction in being able to do things for yourself. I think if we were to become extremely wealthy we would still do as much as we could ourselves.

3. I really enjoyed viewing your cake decorating video. Tell us about what other products Teaching Good Things has to offer.

We just released our Basic Crochet DVD which walks you through all the basic stitches, how to read a pattern, how to make a Granny Square, a dishcloth and a scarf.

Our next video will be about How to Make and Sell Your Own Bath Products. Our quilting video is in the works along with How to Make Your Own Wedding Cake and Canning the Harvest! There will also be videos for the boys that my husband is working on, such as; Building Birdhouses and Bird Feeders and The Young Man’s Home Maintenance Course.

We also offer summer day camps for girls to learn domestic skills and boys to learn carpentry skills. Summer is a great time to learn the life skills that they will need to be a productive adult.

4. As a mother of boys, I am concerned at times with teaching them work ethic. I look around and see so many teenage boys with a "slacker" mentality today. What can I do as a parent to discourage this prevalent attitude with my boys?

The number one thing parents need to do is PRAY! There is no formula to insure that our children will not grow up to be slackers. I cannot stress that enough!

Second, our job as parents is to teach our children as we walk along side them. Our children learn more from what we ‘DO’ than what we ‘say’. They will learn as they watch us as we carry out our responsibilities; are we through? Do we complain about our duties? Does our attitude stink? Do we look for ways to meet the needs of people around us? I think these are the two most important things to do! Pray and walk our talk!

I honestly believe that while children are very young they want to please their parents. They want to be given tasks and know they are doing a good job. I think parents make big mistakes when they push Jr aside and clean up the mess themselves instead of teaching Jr how to clean it up WITH them. It may not be done perfectly when little hands are doing the job, but when they are young we must first train their attitude. Let them take responsibility and help, and then praise them. When they are not looking, go back and do it 'right'. Encouragement is the way to lead children; criticism is the best way to push them away.

5. Although we haven't been blessed with a daughter yet, I want to be prepared! :o) Can you list 3 ways we can prepare our daughters to be effective helpmeets in the future?

As wives and mothers we need to respect, love and adore their dad, in word, expression and deed. This is the most important aspect of family life. If you make a mess of everything else, but you love and respect their dad, they will be just fine! Encourage them to find ways to do special things for their dad while he is gone to work. As women (young and old) of the house, our day should include thoughts of how we can make it easier for him to be known in the gates. Do his socks match? Does he have clean clothes? Is his food ready when he is? Rub his feet. Meet him at the door and try to smile. The smallest things mean so much.

Be a keeper at home by staying at home as much as possible. Teach them to love homemaking, which really is an issue of the heart more than the décor and menu. Help them understand that making a home for the family and guest to feel comfortable, safe and welcome should be of high priority. Home is where needs are met. We cannot meet needs when we are physically not at home. What is even worse is when we are not home emotionally. Our hearts can be caught up in outside 'ministries' and miss our God given responsibility that brings forth much fruit. Constantly remind them that loving others through our home is pleasing to God. (Titus 2:5)

Equip them with skills to be frugal and efficient. In my opinion this is just as important as any academic subject, and in some ways more important. This takes many years, and a lot of us moms are learning right along side our daughters, and that is OK, we have to start somewhere. Don’t put homemaking on the back burner thinking you’ll teach that later. It needs to be taught everyday.

6. Finally, as a mother of children who are preparing to leave the nest, can you give a word of encouragement to those of us who have little ones we are just beginning to teach?

Raising children for the glory of God is a wonderful way to impact the world! Never take it lightly! Again, as I said earlier, prayer is the most important thing to do. Also, let us not boast in ourselves, but know all we do is by grace alone. We are to be faithful to love and train them, God is responsible for the results.

Include you children in everything you do from shopping to mopping the floors. Start out slowly, not expecting perfection. Be VERY selective in what outside activities, even ministries to take part in. Time with our children is so short, although it may not feel like it on a bad day. Love them, play with them, and teach them to be givers, not takers. Just take one day at a time, and enjoy them because before you know it they will be teaching the next generation! I honestly believe we make life too complicated thinking we have to do it all, and have it all. More than anything, know our total dependence is on Christ alone!

NOTE: I had the pleasure to review Kathy's outstanding Cake Decorating DVD and will be posting a review on Monday. You won't want to miss it!

Thank you, Kathy, for being so gracious to chat with us! If you would like to know more about the Brodock family and their passion for this work, click HERE to go to Teaching Good Things!

A Ruby Rebel

My friend Kelly has a good thread going on over at her blog. If you want to be challenged and encouraged on your views of being a wife head on over to her BLOG!

Husbands?

… man was not created for the sake of the woman,
but woman for the sake of the man;
1 Corth. 11:9

Do you try to be alert to the things that your husband might need done before he ask you?

An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:10 - 12

Keeping House~ Part Two

I want to post some quotes form the book Keeping House, but this is such a good book that it is hard to pick out just a few passages. It really is worth the read.

Chapter 1
What's Christian About Housework?

pg 2-3
People need to eat, to sleep, to have clothes to wear; they need a place to read, a place to play, a place into which to welcome guest from which to go forth into the world. These are the needs that housework exist to meet.


Jesus had alot to say about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless. These Christian duties begin at home. It is when these duties are done in our homes it enables the rest of the family to go out and to meet the needs of others.

pg 4-5
Domesticity, we are to believe, is a leisure activity, one that results in elaborate, spotless perfection while requiring nothing of us but that we purchase a few brand-name products or publications.

Magazine racks are full of publications to inspire to have beautiful rooms, the home make over shows are on every network, but they don't address the HEART of a home. Making a home is not something you do as an extreme makeover on a weekend. It takes working at it day in and day out. pg 7 ...housework may be mundane, but it is not simple!

pg 5-6
Sociologist, Arkin Hochschild, documents the increasing prevalence of homes in which every adult member of the household works full time for pay outside the home and no one bears explicit, dedicated responsibility- even part time- for task inside the home. The result, she says, is homes of chaotic and unstructured that all the adults in the household would rather be at work than at home. After all, at work people know what their jobs are and can take a break when they are done; at home all anyone knows is that it is a mess waiting for someone to clean it up.

Because I Could!

Several ladies at our church are reading Keeping House, The Litany of Everyday Life, by Margaret Peterson. I have really enjoyed it so far and thought I'd post some of her thoughts.

In the Preface she tells how she was able to meet the needs of a friend as her newborn baby spent 3 months in the hospital dying. This friend had a large supportive church but few were continuously available because of children and/or jobs.

Mrs. Peterson states:

I realized that to a large degree,
I did it because I could.

I think this is a very key issue! She was available to minister, she could! First, we all have seasons. When the childless (or grown child) season is upon us our first thought should not be to fill that time with a job or 'I'm free to be me'. Titus 2 tells us that we are to be keepers AT home, and as older women we are to be teaching the younger women. After meeting the needs of our husband and home, our time and efforts could be filled with meeting the needs of so many around us.

...time deliberately set aside for keeping house is never just about
"making a home for my family."
Of course housework is about making a home,
but a Christian home, properly understood,
is never just for one's own family.
A Christian home overflows its boundaries;
it is an output of the Kingdom of God,
where the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed
and there is room enough for everyone.

Keeping home can be a very mundane activity....

But at the very same time,
housekeeping is about practicing sacred disciplines
and creating a sacred space,
for the sake of Christ as we encounter him
in our fellow household members and in
neighbors, strangers, and guest.

Faithful, Dependable, Strong

From the book Rebel with a Cause, words of Franklin Graham:

"It may sound trite, but it's true: Without my mother's faithful, dependable, strong presence on the home front, my father's world wide preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ might have never have been possible."

*****
The Lord may not call our husbands to a world wide ministry, but he has called them to a ministry right here, right now, and OUR duty is to be all HE needs us to be! Praise the Lord!!!

Description of a Worthy Woman

Proverbs 31:

10An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

The Heart of the Matter

God pays no attention to the insignificance of the work being done, but looks at the heart which is serving him in work. This is true even of such everyday tasks as washing dishes or milking cows.

Martin Luther

The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Proverbs 10:8

~

From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth

He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Psalm 33:13-15

"A woman who works with her hands is a LABORER;

her hands and head, a CRAFTSMAN;

but a woman who works with

her hands, head, and heart is an ARTIST."

I read the above in Dana's signature line and loved it.

On the home front it has been so very busy! We catered two receptions yesterday, thankfully they were at the same church, just different times.

EVERYTHING taste better with chocolate on it! :o)

Pineapple Almond Punch! yummmm

Here is Emma serving punch, and Olivia is in the center with the pink shirt,
serving cake and making sure little fingers don't get carried away with the chocolate fountain.

Olivia and Emma also got up at 6 to go cut a bunch of wild flowers and
ivy for the table settings, which Olivia arranged on all the tables for me!

These girls are such hard workers!
THANK YOU again girls!!!!!!

I have 3 more parties in the next couple of weeks, then it should slow down and I can QUILT! :o) I also want to get the kitchen and living room painted. Olivia works constantly in the yard...well, that is when she is not READING! I feel bad for getting on to her for reading, but one must have balance, ya know! lol To say she is an avid reader would be an understatement. She is VERY excited to be able to give her speech to the Republican Meeting this week. Please pray for her that she will stay calm and remember her speech clearly.

Emma has been working finishing up some school work and helping her dad. Joshua will be in Jacksonville this week working with my brother on a private jet, they are installing a theater.

Life is good...hard at times, but good!

He Is No Fool

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose."
-Jim Elliot

I love what Mrs. Wilt posted yesterday!


She is no fool who gives up perfectly manicured nails to play with her children for she will teach them love.

She is no fool who skips salon haircuts because her little ones need new shoes for she will teach them self-sacrifice.

She is no fool who drives her little ones in an older car instead of a new one if it can't be afforded for she will teach frugality.

She is no fool who cleans her home thoroughly for she teaches her little ones order.

She is no fool who gives what she has to the poor instead of pocketing it herself for she teaches her little ones to give wholeheartedly.

She is no fool who rises early to commune with her Lord instead of sleeping in for she teaches her little ones the importance of beginning the day with God.

She is no fool who obeys the traffic laws with her family in the car for she teaches them obedience.

She is no fool who dresses and behaves femininely for she teaches the importance of remaining separate from the world.

She is no fool who loves the Lord with all of her heart for she will provide an example of godliness by which her children can live.

The ABC's of Being a Helpmeet

From the Frugal Homemaker

Admit when you are wrong
Be positive
Cuddle
Do it his way
Encourage him
Fix his breakfast
Give back rubs
Hug often
"I love you" should be said many times daily
Joke around in a playful manner
Know his needs
Listen to him
Manage your home well
Never hold grudges
Open your eyes in the morning and smile
Pray for him
Quit nagging him
Reminisce about good times
Show respect and honor
Trust, and earn his trust
Understand his need for reverence
Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it
Wink at him!
X is for private times
Yearn to please him
Zealously guard him with your love

The Fruit of Her Hands

This is not a very good picture...
but it is of our friends the Boyds.
Their baked goods were SO GOOD!

Saturday, our family and a few other families that we know took part in a local craft show. We all put alot of work into producing our goods. And I think we have all asked ourselves, "Is it worth it?" And if you look at the bottom line, the grand total, the ACTUAL profit, the answer may be no. But if you look at what we were teaching our children in the process, then it is more than worth it. They learn the value of hard work including the creativity, the manufacturing, the marketing, the investing and so much more!!! They also learn not to be idle, to be productive with their time and talents. It builds an appreciation for the skills others have.

This is the Lee's booth.
You can barely see Sherri...I think she was dodging the camera,
along with the other 14 members of her family!!! ???!!!

Then there is the whole aspect of being active in the community. The other families that we knew there have larger than 'normal' family size (one family has 13 children). This was so neat!!! They were all there with their products. All of the children were so well behaved. What a testimony to the community of God's blessings! Families working together and enjoying it (well for the most part ;o) )

Not pictured are our friends the Crawfords who own Nurtured By Nature.
(The BEST bath and body products!!!)

nor are the Travers pictured, who operate Turning Hearts Ministries.
I bought some beautiful greeting cards from their oldest son.

I received this from Steve Beck and I thought it would be fitting to add it here:

In Proverbs 31, we have a woman who manages her household so well
that her home can not contain her industry. Her family comes
first, but she look what else is happening:

She considers a field and buys it in verse 15. She is no stranger
to financial matters. She knows how to count the cost so that she
comes out ahead.

She invests the profits from her land transaction in verse 16.
She does not foolishly spend her profits. She invests them wisely
so that the whole household benefits.

She extends her hand to the poor in verse 20. She gives because
she can afford to. She is not burdened by excessive debt nor is
she relying on others for her basic needs.

She has a godly confidence in her ability to provide when times
get tough in verse 21.

She sells merchandise out of her home in verse 24. One assumes
that the garments and sashes she sells are well- crafted and
bring top dollar in the market place.

Her children call her blessed and her husband praises her in
verse 28.

All praise her in the gates in verse 31 and we are still praising
her to this day!

This woman has leveraged a small home business into a wonderful
blessing for her family, her community and countless people who
have read her story and followed her example. She is impacting
her culture in a godly way, even to this day. Oh, that more would
follow her example.


Warmly in Christ,
Stephen Beck
http://www.FamilyEbiz.com

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