A Book of Encouragement

Library of Congress: Rural winter morning with a church in the background, by W. C. Bauer, 1800's.

We need more peace and cheer.  We are often encouraged by little quotes, devotions, and uplifting thoughts.  It is common to read digital words rather than having a book or paper in our hands. These digital words may be a quote we read on a website or on social media.  We appreciate the words, think about them, and then we tend to forget them.

It would be helpful to have a little book in which to write down these thoughts and quotes. Each time we read something which cheers us along, perhaps we could write them in a journal.  It could be called our "Book of Encouragement."

I will share with you some of the quotes I have read in the past as an example: 

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 "I have a very childlike and simple faith. I don't worry about the future. I just do what God calls me to do now. . . . Spend your life serving others. It's not about us."

 - Barbara Curtis (mother of 12) 

 

"There is no panic in Heaven. God has no problems, only plans." 

- Corrie ten Boom

 

"What are trials but angels to beckon us nearer to Him?" 

- Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss

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We need time for quiet reflection. I can just imagine sitting by the window, looking out at the beautiful landscape and writing these uplifting thoughts into a notebook. Perhaps we can find something lovely to write every day.  It may be a comforting verse or a simple quote we read somewhere.  This daily work of filling in the pages with beautiful thoughts to think about will someday result in an entire book to cheer us along.

I am thinking about the old days in the country. There are quiet mornings with just the sound of the singing of sparrows.  Thoughts of lilies of the field can bring rest to a contented heart.  We do not need to be cast down by the trials and troubles of life. We can ponder the thoughts of goodness and blessings. This will bring joy to the heart.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Ideas to minimize stress - Peace be Upon this House.

Tea Time with Grandchildren - The Importance of Formal Ceremony at Home.

What happened when I rushed ahead - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

Find stories of home life, with photographs of my home, in this encouraging book. 

 Paperback, 200 pages. 

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

 

 

Adapting to The High Cost of Living

Library of Congress: World War I Poster, 1918. 

The cost of living has increased a great deal this year.  I have noticed it, over the last few months, whenever I am in the supermarket or at the gas station.  This can have a negative effect on families if they do not have creative ideas on how to adjust.  

The number one goal for our finances is to avoid debt as much as possible. If we are free from debt, we can adapt to the changing economy much easier than if we were burdened with loans and monthly payments. Debt hinders our freedom and stifles our ability to function financially.

I want to share some practical ideas and, hopefully, bring encouragement on getting through these difficult days.

Throughout our history, here in the United States, we have had our ups and downs with the economy. We have been through wars, shortages, droughts, natural disasters, epidemics, and The Great Depression.  We have had to adjust to these hardships, learning to take care of ourselves, our families, and our neighbors.  

In the illustration above, there is a poster put out by our government to boost morale and help encourage families to manage with what food was most readily available. The poster is from 1918, during World War I.  The image shows a woman serving pancakes, muffins, and grits. The canisters on the table show that these items should be kept in the pantry and used to provide nourishing, affordable food for the family. This type of education was very helpful as people needed to find ways to economize and make the best of what was available.

During World War II, around 1942, the United States issued war ration books.  These were intended to help each citizen buy a proper portion of necessary food while supplies were low. Our family still has three of these books. One belonged to my mother. The other two belonged to my grandparents.  The date listed on them is 1943. The printing on the back encourages citizens with these words:

"Be guided by the rule: If you don't need it, Don't Buy it."

These days, as I am in the supermarket, noticing high prices, I have to make some quick decisions. I am buying things that I do not normally choose. I am also avoiding things we normally enjoy.   For example, we used to buy 3 or 4 dozen eggs each time we shopped.  The price is much too high now.  We are only buying one dozen at a time.  I am baking less, and we are not eating eggs as often as normal.  I will walk by the eggs, or the dairy section, and notice prices I do not like, and I keep looking to find something we can afford. 

At this time, we have some garden produce that is supplementing our grocery spending.  We have fresh sweet peas, lettuce, and cucumbers.  We also have a good amount of fresh blueberries that we are enjoying. I do not can or preserve food, since I don't have the energy; but I enjoy what is seasonally offered from our property. This is one way we are managing to avoid overspending at the supermarket.

The gas prices have come down a little recently, but they seemed to be out of control for a time.  It is still very high, but we have learned to adjust. My budget for gas was $140 each month. I had to reduce this to $100 in order to pay other expenses which had increased.  At first, this was so painful since I could not go out as often as I wanted. I was not able to visit family as much as normal.  We had to reduce our trips to the store, which is difficult especially when we run low on fresh produce that we like to have.  But we are getting by. We are getting through this.

Each day we say our prayers. We ask the Lord to give us our daily bread. We have to trust that He will provide.  Instead of worrying, or panicking, we are practicing contentment. We are finding happiness in other ways. We will not allow ourselves to focus on the worries or uncertainties of the high cost of living.  We will trust our Heavenly Father to provide. We will do the work of being careful, of making changes, of going without.  It is just like the many storms which come through our lives. It will pass. Things will get better. They always do. The Lord blesses us and gives us peace. We keep our focus on Him, just like dear children who trust their Father to protect and care for them. 

We are grateful for the beautiful sunshine, the gentle rain, the delight of snowfall, and the lovely colors of autumn. In all seasons, what we see around us, and through the trials of our lives, we trust that God will provide. He always does.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Always remember - The House Comes First. 

Encouragement - How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.

The joy of taking care of grandchildren - I Hear Angels Crying.

 

 

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

 

 

For old time encouragement in living simply on a limited income, order Mrs. White's book:

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

 77 pages, paperback.

Sunday Driver

A pond near Mrs. White's home, as Autumn unfolds in Vermont.

 

In the old days, we used to see someone driving along slowly around the neighborhood. They were driving peacefully and enjoying the scenery around them.  They were not in a hurry.  There was no rush.  They were enjoying the day.  We used to call them "Sunday Drivers" because it was often a wonderful event to take a leisurely ride in the country, on a Sunday afternoon. 

I have read, in old literature from the 1800's, that drives in the country were greatly enjoyed. They were considered healthy and beneficial.  This was a form of recreation and wholesome entertainment. 

As we are seeing the leaves change, here in rural Vermont, the beauty around us is quieting.  It is soothing.  It is lovely.  We are enjoying little Sunday drives, which bring us a great deal of peace. The fresh mountain air, and the Autumn landscape bring happiness and rest.

I hope you are staying well and safe!

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

From the Archives -

What many of us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

Encouragement - Old Fashioned Duty of a Homemaker.  

Nourishment for the Soul - Beautiful Devotion After the Rain.

 

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

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

Find stories of home life, with photographs of my home, in this encouraging book. 

 Paperback, 200 pages. 

Church in the Living Room

 

Mrs. White's notebook for sermon notes.

There are times, in our lives, when we are not able to attend church in person.  We may miss the pews, the song books, the minister, and the people.  The church building, itself, is such a wonderful place to be able to go and hear the prayers and listen to the sermon in person.  There is such a sense of beauty and holiness in a regular routine of church attendance.

The last few months, we have been having church in the living room.  This has become a very precious habit of attending our home church each Sunday morning.  We watch America's pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, and are greatly comforted by his sermons.  We may not be able to go anywhere right now, for whatever the reason - the weather, sickness, etc., but we can attend a special service at home.

We have been having a daily Bible time for more than 4 years now, my husband and I.  It has made an enormous difference in our lives.  Now we have added a weekly church time, together, in the living room.

My husband will call me, at the appointed time, to say that the sermon is all set up and ready for us.  I will get my notebook and a pen. Then I will happily walk downstairs to the living room. I have a "journal notebook" which was a gift from In Touch Ministry.  It has a ribbon marker and is perfect for taking notes while watching the sermon.  

Just before each sermon, I write the date, the day of the week (Sunday) and the name of the message.  I then proceed to take notes throughout the message.  This has created a record of our "attendance" and faithfulness in doing church at home.  We can also see, at a glance, the messages we have already watched, reflect on key points, and be encouraged when looking over the notes.  It is easier to remember the lessons when one writes them down.  It has been such a blessing to actually see that we have been doing church every single week for months now!  It has helped us both very much.

We all need a steady diet of church attendance.  We need spiritual nourishment.  Our marriages need a regular dose of encouragement. Doing Bible time and Church, together in the home, is a wonderful way to strengthen our faith and stabilize our walk with the Lord.

blessings,

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

 

Practical Help - The Secret to a Happy Home. 

Finances - Poor and Pretty Living. 

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

Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs. White's book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking.  Paperback, 274 pages.