When You Walk by the Way

Scene by the lake, near our home in Vermont.

 

As we go about our days of cleaning and organizing and coming up with routines to manage a household, let us not forget two very important aspects of taking care of ourselves. 

I have written about having a cleaning schedule and suggested what to do in the morning, afternoon, and evening. I have described daily work that can be done to maintain a pleasant home.  In my book, "Gracious Housekeeping" there are sample charts and simple explanations to make this work easier to manage. But you will not see a time for personal exercise, private devotions, or when to do family worship.

For those who are homeschooling, I have written about my own experience of educating my five children. I describe, in detail, what a common day would look like. I share a daily routine with scheduled times for meals, snacks, and learning.  This basic information is designed to give ideas so you can adapt them to your own needs. My book, "Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life" will help you see what I've experienced homeschooling for nearly 3 decades as a homemaker.  But you will not see a time for studying Scripture or how to fit in a workout program. 

The reason for this omission in both books is because my own practice is to do these things as I walk by the way. How does one fit in Bible studies and personal exercise?  Let me explain a background for this:

Exercise

When I was growing up, I walked all over the place. I would walk to school, to the bus stop, and also several miles to wherever I needed to go. This happened year-round, whether there was rain or snow or sunshine.  It was a normal part of life to be active and moving.  In the summer I would swim almost daily. I would also do my own exercises at home - such as push-ups, sit-ups, etc.  This just seemed like a natural part of the day - to keep going. I would also clean and do chores as well as work to earn a little pocket money; and in the evenings, I would do my homework. 

Years later, as young mother, I found that I could not exercise as much as I wanted. The babies needed my undivided attention. Somehow, I learned to incorporate the routines of walking and moving into a busy life of service.  As a young mother, I would occasionally wear light ankle weights as I did housework. I would also wear them when I walked to the playground with the children.  I would use the stairs instead of elevators. I would embrace the walk instead of finding shortcuts or quicker ways to accomplish things. I kept moving and active with housework, and daily walks throughout the house.  I have never been able to have a consistent scheduled workout routine. I simply keep moving, as much as possible, throughout the day.

Bible Study

In my childhood home, I would often see my father sitting in his recliner as he read the Bible.  He would sing hymns throughout the day, as he went about his work. We went to church regularly and also watched a sermon on television. We children were encouraged to read our own Bibles. I would go to Dad with Bible questions and learned to mark special passages in my Bible. There was a great love for Scripture which we caught from our Father (who was the son of a southern revival preacher). 

When I set up housekeeping in my own home, I continued to study and meditate on the Word of God. I would pick up the Bible and read verses or chapters at a time. I would do this any chance I could during the day and evening.  When my children were old enough to sit with me, I would teach them to read the Bible along with us.  While it was not possible for me to set up a time for our Bible reading (there were always interruptions - a sick child, a baby needing comfort, a spill to tend to, etc.) I would wait for a quiet lull in the day and happily announce, "let's do Bible time!" To me, it was a wonderful opportunity to rest and take in the beauty of holiness and peace as we read the Bible together, sang hymns, and prayed.

Today, now that my children are all grown, things are quieter in the house. I am able to take long walks throughout the house each morning. While I walk, I read devotional books ("A Year of Blessings" and "Hymns for the Home and Family".) This is my personal time of devotions. 

Interior view of my book, "Hymns for the Home and Family."

Yet even though there are many quiet mornings, my walks are often interrupted. Grandbabies arrive unexpectedly!  One of the grown children will call on the telephone. Someone will want to sit and talk to me while I walk. Despite all these supposed distractions, I continue to walk and read in the midst of welcoming the family, pausing to chat, and delighting in the blessing of my family.  This is how I fit in personal devotions - I do them by catches - by little bits and moments of reading and meditating while my attention is constantly being directed elsewhere to things just as important and necessary. 

Our evening devotions are not scheduled. We try to do them either before dinner or late in the day. There is always some delay because there are other needs that must be attended to. I never want to rush family worship, so we try to wait until there is a quiet respite of time to sit and read together, sing hymns, and say our prayers. Yet somehow, we manage to do this every single night, regardless of the time. It is a joy and a blessing to our hearts.

In Scripture it stays to teach our children diligently as we walk by the way. It talks about when we rise up and when we sit down, we are to do this.  It is an ongoing process because we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. 

We must realize that regardless of all our responsibilities and plans, there will be constant distractions, temptations to do other things, and limited time and health to do what is most important. If we can find a way to simply keep moving (for good health) and to keep reading Scripture (for spiritual life), throughout the moments and days, we will reap far more benefit than if we simply exercised or read the Bible only once a day.  

Blessings

Mrs. White

* Note - You will find the 4 books mentioned in this post, listed below.

From the Archives -

A Faithful, Virtuous Mother - Amazing Dedication.

The example of my Parents - Minding my own Housekeeping Business.

Unwanted Advice for the Family - Quieting Myself for the Good of Others.

A Tireless Worker - The Benevolent Housekeeper.

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Find cleaning inspiration and encouragement in Mrs. White's book, "Gracious House Keeping."

"Gracious House Keeping: Advice, Encouragement, and Cleaning Help for the Christian Housewife."

Complete with Encouragement and Work Charts to cheer you along in your homemaking!

115 pages, paperback.

Help For Homeschooling:

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life: Encouragement for Christian Homeschooling by Mrs. White

Paperback, 112 pages

As you read this book, I hope you get a sense that, no matter what is going on in the world, every home can be a homeschool.  

Encouragement from the 1800's:  

~ Daily Devotional ~  

"A Year of Blessings and a Blessed Year: The Legacy of Home Press Classic Edition" by Rose Porter.

220 pages, paperback. (5 x 8)

A Classic Reprint, brought to you by The Legacy of Home Press.

"Hymns for the Home and Family: Devotional with 28 Hymns and Christmas Songs"

126 pages, paperback

ISBN: 978-1-956616-33-0

Frugal Planning for Visiting Relatives

Serving Dinner at home, 1942, Massachusetts. (LOC)

 

Every other year, when I was a child, my parents packed us all up and drove on a long journey to visit our relatives. This always happened during the summer, when everyone was on vacation from school and work.  Mom and Dad would wake us up in the middle of the night and settle us in the car for the start of the trip. In this way, they knew we would sleep for much of the ride.  To save money, Mom brought along food and drinks from her kitchen. Once we arrived at the residence of our extended relatives, we were welcomed and made to feel at home.

Our Aunt and Uncle took excellent care of us, made sure we were comfortable, and saw that we got plenty of rest.  My Aunt set a bountiful table at each meal. Everything was homemade, some of which was gleaned from her garden.  Yet it was plain, simple, old-fashioned home-cooking.  She served us the normal food that she always made for her own family on a daily basis. Because of this, there was little extra cost to her grocery bill.  It was comforting to be in their humble home. They were a working-class family, living on a few acres of land out in the country.  Grandmother lived on the property with them. We loved seeing her and visiting our cousins. 

During our visits, we attended church with the family. I loved hearing the sermons, listening to prayers, and singing the hymns. 

Husband and wife, leading singing in Sunday School. (LOC)

Visiting our relatives and going to church was a precious way of life for our family. This was old time living.  It helped create a bond of togetherness and moral character.  

Very little money was spent for these visits, other than the cost of gas. We rarely did any sight-seeing and mostly spent our time talking, visiting, laughing, and enjoying fellowship and good food.

It used to be common to host relatives in one's home for both short and extended visits. It was easier to travel when one didn't have to worry about the cost of lodging and food. 

These days, I am trying to recapture the nostalgia of those journeys. Most of the older generation, in our family, has gone home to Heaven. There are few left who are able to welcome us for such old-fashioned visits.  We have become the older generation.  We have enjoyed welcoming our own grown children and grandchildren in our humble old house. 

Sometimes, we also want to travel back to the old hometown in Massachusetts where some of our extended family still resides.  We are planning a trip that is coming up very soon.  I am trying to remember how Mother and Dad managed to travel with little money. They made it work. I am sure they saved and planned. I am sure they packed their own food to save money. I also know they did not drive around more than necessary in order to prevent the waste of gas. 

In our current culture it seems strange not to spend money on souvenirs. It seems strange not to dine in restaurants.  It is more common to go on vacation than it is to simply visit relatives.  If we are not careful, somehow, the two can become mixed up, making us think we must have a great deal of money available just to visit our extended family.  

Some of what I hope to do, for this trip, is to find a way to bring as much of our own food as I can. I believe food tends to be one of the biggest expenses for long journeys.  I am trying to think of what can be safely packed and prepared to last a few days. I realize I will still have to visit the local supermarket when we arrive, to get some fresh things as well. But I need to keep costs as low as possible. 

For recreation, I hope to take pictures of the ocean, enjoy walking along the shore, and just find peace in things that do not cost any money.  Visiting our relatives, who we haven't seen in a few years, will be such a blessing.  

Family has always been the most important thing in this life.  We want to keep those relationships strong.  Old-fashioned visits, like the ones Mother and Dad provided, ought to be more common in this world of materialism, glamour, and high spending.  The old ways hold great appeal for me. I want to keep walking that old path, the one that Mother and Dad led us along . . . by their precious example. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Ration Books from 1942 and helpful advice - Adapting to the High Cost of Living.

Good Manners and Thrift - Adding Loveliness to the Day.

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

- It is an honor to be the bookkeeper for the house! - 

Find detailed instruction and inspiration in budgeting on a small income, along with a method for keeping a handwritten ledger, with lots of thrifty ideas, in Mrs. White's book:

 -An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife. 

 Paperback, 77 pages.

Help with Homemaking

Flowers at the hospital on our recent trip.

 

When my children were younger, I was often sick and in need of help. There was always pain for me to deal with and my health was fragile.  This turned out to be a blessing because it required me to teach the children how to keep house.  On my bad days, I would say to one of them, "Would you make the dinner?" It was spaghetti, or mashed potatoes with chicken, pizza, or one of our usual meals.  I would be resting on the couch or in bed and they would keep coming to me with questions. They would say things like, "how long do I cook the potatoes?" or, "How much milk do I add as I mash the potatoes?"  We would discuss the menu and decide on the accompanying vegetables that were to be served.  Over time, the children learned how to make many meals and run a kitchen.  It was not long before they wanted to cook on their own.  During lean years, when there was not much money, the children became inventive with the available ingredients to come up with basic recipes of their own.   Yet, somehow, the children felt privileged for such a responsibility. They were thankful to be skilled in such important work. All this was experienced because of times of hardship.

This is now happening with grandchildren. I am often in pain or struggling with health difficulties. When the grandchildren visit, they help me. They set the table; they help me cook or bake.  They help serve. They even help with the sweeping and dishes. These are common things to do in the home, when everyone helps with the work of taking care of the family. It is a blessing!

On a recent medical trip, I noticed a beautiful floral arrangement at the reception desk of the hospital. It brightened our day. It cheered us up. It made us smile.  This reminded me of how special it is to have fresh flowers at home. It is part of homemaking.  When we bring cheer and beauty to the home, we are helping to make it a special place.  

When we add to all this labor of home another essential aspect it makes everything wonderful. This element is kindness. It is goodness. It is treating others with good manners and a love of happiness. Do good to the family. Keep smiling. Stay calm. In this way, we can pass on, to the younger generation, a cheerful spirit as a precious part of the practical work of homemaking. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

The Way it Was - Caring for the Family at Home - A Comforting Sick Room.

Remembering - Old Time Kitchens. 

A Godly Mother is the Hostess at -  The Mission House.

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Help For Homeschooling:

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life: Encouragement for Christian Homeschooling by Mrs. White

Paperback, 112 pages

As you read this book, I hope you get a sense that, no matter what is going on in the world, every home can be a homeschool.  

Our New Classic Book from 1890 is now Available

Our new paperback book.

 

The Legacy of Home Press presents our newest title in our classic book collection:

About the Book:

A restful gathering of friends, during the 1800's, in England, included the famous American evangelist, D. L. Moody. Among those present was Scottish author and evangelist, Henry Drummond. An inspiring message from I Corinthians 13 was presented to the group. D. L. Moody was greatly inspired and invited Drummond to give this same address at the Northfield Seminary in Massachusetts. The message was later printed into a book. Since that time, more than 100 years later, this message continues to touch the hearts of many. 

Details:

D. L. Moody (LOC)

D. L. Moody was a good friend of Professor Henry Drummond, who spent time helping with mission campaigns.

When Moody heard Drummond's message from I Corinthians 13, he wanted it presented to the masses at his Northfield Seminary in Massachusetts, and also printed in a book.

View of the Campus. (LOC)

Imagine Professor Drummond as he first shared his message in America at the Campus founded by Moody. 

His speech, spoken with a Scottish accent, was clear and calming. 

In our reprint edition of the original 1890 book, I have included special features to show some of the behind-the-scenes of the classic book by Henry Drummond:

- You will find a scattering of historic photographs and illustrations. 

- I share notes about the character of Henry Drummond, written by D. L. Moody.

- There is an "about the author" section along with a portrait of Henry Drummond.

- I have written the foreword to help introduce the importance of the book.

- The cover of the book is a picture I took of a beautiful church in Stowe, Vermont.

- The book contains the complete text of the original message by Henry Drummond.

The book is now available!

The Greatest Thing in the World: The Legacy of Home Press Classic Edition by Henry Drummond 

52 pages, paperback. 

ISBN: 978-1956616-40-8  (6 x 9)

  It would be a great help to me if you would share this post with others.  I hope you enjoy the book!

 Blessings,

 Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Finding Rest in a Stressful world - Peace Be Upon This House. 

The joy of taking care of children! I hear their sweet noise as a blessing! - I Hear Angels Crying. 

Encouragement - Old Fashioned Duty of a Homemaker.  

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Keeping the Grocery Bill Down

Shopping for Groceries in 1941 (LOC).

 

Later this morning I will put on my rain boots and walk all over the grounds of this old estate. The rain has made the property soft and wet making it necessary to wear protective shoes.  I will visit all the garden spots throughout the land to see how much work needs to be done to prepare for the coming planting season.  We will have a small kitchen garden, along with the berries and fruit trees that come up on their own each year.  As I walk the grounds I will pray and remember that it is God who blesses our efforts and provides our food.  We do the work and ask for His hand upon our labor.  Knowing this, gives me comfort since I cannot possibly manage things on my own. I must have the help of my Heavenly Father. 

The markets are full of ready-made food, pretty packaging, and inviting goods that can entice one to spend far more money than is reasonable. Sticking to a budget is hard in these days because we often think more about the store as the provider than of the land.  This is especially true for those of us who are limited in our experience and abilities in gardening.  Yet every little bit of effort at growing one's own food will save money on the grocery bill.

I often wonder if the way to spend less on groceries is to have smaller portions and live on less than is commonly recommended (for adults) by experts. Dinner plates used to be much smaller than the ones we have today.  Even cups were smaller. Tea cups were often used for both tea and coffee. Today, many use large mugs.  Everything seems bigger and is more expensive. And while most of the food we do have is happily given to growing children (or grandchildren when they visit), we older ones are learning to manage on less.

To keep costs down at the store, I have to avoid buying snacks.  The chips, cookies, and candy are tempting but not in the budget.  The frozen food section of dinners and desserts have to be avoided. The limited amount of money we have available must be used for basic necessities such as fresh fruit, vegetables, sugar and other baking ingredients, a small portion of meat, coffee, etc.  The pre-made food is far too expensive. I have to make a great deal of effort to avoid buying any of it, especially when I am feeling sick and worn out. 

There is much work to do in the kitchen to eat well and to plan out nutritious meals for the household. I frequently make homemade vegetable soup, which is both cheap and nutritious. This saves us so much money on food. But there are still things we need that cost money. We have to limit our spending to get through each month. 

Many of us think about food for much of the day. We want both meals and snacks. We want to keep eating.  Sometimes I have to get busy. I have to keep my mind on other things so that what we do have available is conserved, so it lasts long enough to the next pay period. Keeping occupied and drinking water will help us get through to the next scheduled meal time. At the table, eating slowly and enjoying the food peacefully will make us feel more content. 

There are many of us on limited incomes who need to be very careful with our provisions. But we want to do this joyfully. We want to be grateful and at peace with a limited amount of resources. I am grateful for our beautiful old house. I am grateful for the land to walk about and have a bit of exercise and quiet times with the Lord.  Most of all I am incredibly grateful that I can go to the Lord in prayer and ask for help for whatever we need. I want to always say with the Psalmist in chapter 23, "I shall not want."  How precious to be cared for as a child of God, knowing that I have help not just in times of trouble, but for every single need, each and every day of my life.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A Simple Life - How to Stop Buying Things that Clutter up the Home. 

Old Time Frugality - Keeping the Family Homestead. 

 My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.  

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

 Help for hard times at home - 

House Keeping in Hard Times: Essays and Encouragement from a Christian Housewife

 Paperback, 180 pages

 As you read the entries, you will get a sense of what it is like as a Christian housewife through the ups and downs of life.  Topics include motherhood, marriage, taking care of children, cleaning, living on a low income, saving money, and building up the family with faith as the foundation.