The Sanctuary of Home

LOC: Living Room at a Home in Wisconsin, 1945.

There will always be storms brewing out in the world, for Mothers to silently fight.  There will be lurkers, with ulterior motives, trying to lure the residents away from a godly home.  There will be temptations of events to keep mother so distracted and busy that she doesn't remember how to keep home a quiet place of rest.

 - Mothers must learn to make home a sanctuary. -

Today, the sporadic holiday traffic out front is bringing sudden and alarming noises.   I have a baby here who needs his morning rest.  I closed the blinds to keep out the heat of the sun.  I closed the front windows to stop the traffic sounds.  Then I opened the back windows so we can hear the soothing sound of the rushing water of the back river.  Baby will sleep soundly at our quiet Estate.

Sometimes we have to shoo out certain people from rooms in our house, in order that we may keep a gentle home running.  We may even send loud children outdoors to play. It is good for them, and good for us.  Mothers often send guests home when the hour is getting late.  The home must have order, and the residents must have their wholesome rest.

Bible time and prayer-hour should be sacred events, that occur at regular times.  When Mother is delighted and peaceful and rested, the family will happily follow her in the parlour for the time of worship.  It will be almost as awe-inspiring and precious as reading a beautiful bedtime story.  The short time of devotion is a time of reverence and holiness.  It is a discipline in consistency and a lesson in serving the Lord.

When family and guests enter Mother's sanctuary (of a godly home), they should immediately sense her joy and warm welcome.  The residents know Mother works hard to make home a pleasant and happy place. 

Is this ideal place worth fighting for?  Is it worth shutting out the world at regular times so the family can enjoy a respite, taking refreshment and rest they dearly need? 

When they leave Mother's well-tended sanctuary, will their hearts yearn to be back soon?  Will they get homesick for that loving place? 

Babies and small children need rest and order and the routine of a home nursery.  In this fast paced world of overindulging in everything, wouldn't it be worthy if more Mothers created this same type of nursery at home for all who enter?



Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Practical help for the home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

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

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

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

 

Morning Devotions for the Family

Before the invention of television, video games, and radios, families had more time for religious duties. We often get caught up in doing good things. Yet, sometimes those good things are overindulged, instead of done in moderation.

One of the most important things we can do, with our families, is have a time of morning devotions. We can gather around the living room, or kitchen table. Everyone comes with a sense of awe and reverence - it is family devotion. The Bible is read by Dad. The Mother smiles warmly at her children. The little ones and teens sit quietly and listen closely. Then it is prayer time and the family is dismissed to the events of the day.

What a precious way to begin the morning.

Blessings
Mrs. White


Some quotes -


They are not merely to be taught out of some elementary book that they must love God, but you must show them God is loved. If they observe that no worship is paid to that God of whom they hear, the very best instruction will prove useless; but by means of Family Worship, these young plants will grow "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not wither." - J.H. Merle D'Aubigne

Family Worship increases the spirit of reverence for God and His Word. Children copy their parents’ spirit and example. If parents begin the day by invoking God’s blessing, by consecrating the early hour to His service, they show their estimate of the value of worship. - Rev. M. Simpson

You must read the scriptures to your families, in a solemn manner, requiring their attendance on your reading, and their attention to it. - Matthew Henry

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

 

For happiness and cheer in the kitchen:

Mrs. White's old fashioned cookbook focuses on serving meals and setting the table in a humble home.

"Serving in the Kitchen: Cookbook with Recipes, Advice, and Encouragement for the Christian Home"

152 pages, paperback

A Lovely Old Fashioned Study for You

The Elizabeth Prentiss Study

Elizabeth Prentiss

In October of 2009, I created a life transforming study. It is designed to help you have daily personal devotions.

The format helps discipline us, using daily assignments like Prayer, Keeping a Journal,  Bible Reading, Listening to hymns (or gospel music) and reading portions from a wonderful book written in the 1800's by Elizabeth Prentiss, "Stepping Heavenward."


This is a 90 day program and has been adapted for individual use. This was originally a free download,which is no longer available.

 In 2021, we expanded the study into a book.  

The original study was a printout that one would place into a binder notebook

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The new deluxe edition includes these special features:

- Introduction by Mrs. Sharon White

- Portrait of Mrs. Prentiss, from 1882.

- About "Stepping Heavenward," including reviews written in 1871.

- Detailed directions for the study with inspiring details from the letters of Mrs. Prentiss. 

- Instructions for an optional Group Study format called "The Prentiss Study Club." It also has 12 weeks of weekly check-ins for those who want to do the program with others.

- The Study itself has 90 days of assignments with a place to check off each item as completed.

- A brief biography of the Prentiss family at their summer home in Dorset, Vermont (in the 1800's). This includes details of their family life, and photographs taken in 2019 by Mrs. White when she visited Dorset a few years ago. You will see a little of the town and the Prentiss home. 

- Reference notes include details of sources and other helpful information and guidance.

                        -------------------

 In addition to having a copy of "The Prentiss Study" book, you will need the following in order to do the study:


- Your Bible. (I use the KJV.)

- A copy of the 1800's book, Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss. (This is a fictitious journal, which has inspired and changed women all over the world.)

- A journal or notebook to record your diary entries.

- Access to hymns or gospel music.

- Time for Prayer each day.

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Below you will find a link to each edition of "The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition" It is available in both paperback and hardcover.  Both editions are 105 pages.  The hardcover edition is especially sturdy and beautiful and will make an excellent addition to any home library. 

The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition paperback.

105 pages, 6 x 9.        ISBN: ‎ 978-1956616040

The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition hardcover. 

105 pages, 6 x 9.      ISBN:  978-1956616057

I hope you enjoy the study! If you are able to get "The Prentiss Study" and like it, I hope you will be able to leave a review on Amazon. It would be a great help to me. Thank you!

- Also available from The Legacy of Home Press:

 

Stepping Heavenward - The paperback edition:

ISBN # 978-1956616002

295 pages.

6 x 9

Enjoy!

Blessings
Mrs. White

- 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.