An Encouraging Word

Homeschool Digest

both are invaluable websites
and magazine resources

HopeChest  magazine Nurturing Young Ladies Toward  Biblical Womanhood

HopeChest
2255 Buffalo Springs Tpke
Monroe, VA 24574

hopechestmagazine.com

 
Making It Home

Encouragement for Mothers and Families
The website and magazine for inspiration
for motherhood, home and family.
Above Rubies  PO Box  681687
Franklin TN 37068-1687

Titus 2 Ministry
Genteel Girlhood
 Encourages young, Christian girls,
who are seeking to live a Godly lifestyle,
 set apart for the Lord's service

Genteel Girlhood
P.O. Box 55 Middletown,
MO 63359-0055

Crowned with Silver
Godly homemaking wisdom from bygone eras. 
This magazine is geared for older ladies, but daughters
who are seeking biblical womanhood will enjoy it, too.
crownedwithsilver.com 

PO Box 403  Masonville,
CO 80541-0403

What a Godly Man Should Look Like
Kathy Gruben

"I would use these words to describe this wonderful man of virtue....

Noble, chivalrous, courageous, fun, true, wise, loyal, passionate, protector, gentle, humble, strong, self-sacrificial, adventurous, patient, loving, kind, serving, intelligent, polite, family centered, lover of truth, steeped in the Word of God, prayerful and hospitable.

These are not the kind of guys that you always notice first in a crowd. But they are the ones that you admire most once you do notice them. They are the ones who go to the person sitting on the side of the church looking left out, and shake hands with a smile. They are the ones that you will find at home instead of in youth group. You will see them sitting with their folks rather than passing notes in the back of church with their friends. You will find them helping in the kitchen or taking out the trash, walking the ladies to their cars and carrying diaper bags even if they don't belong to them.

You'll find them with other guys, in deep discussions about theology, worldview philosophies, politics, and books rather than just talking about the latest football games, computer games and girls. Yet, they can converse on these topics too when needed :- ) . These are the guys who walk on the outside of the sidewalk to protect the lady whom they might be with, and are always watching for ways to take care of her as a sister. When looking for a mate, they want the one who is at home (or wants to be) and "hangs out" with her mom and siblings more than her buddies.

They love a good time, but it usually entails sword fighting, ultimate Frisbee, board games, hiking, touch football,  night tag, water balloon fights and G rated movies rather than sports teams, dancing at the bar or movies with violence and sex-who cares if they are in their 20's! A big night on the town includes taking the siblings to the grocery store, the library or out for miniature golf. They are passionate about the things of God and they do not bend on their convictions, no matter what others may say or do. They don't care that some might see them as "goody-goody" or strange for not dating or for spending so much time with their family-they are proud of it!

You might see them on the road at 6:30am rushing to get to a 7:00am catechism class, even though no one is making him go. You will find them in family worship, singing or playing the piano, teaching God's word to his family or sitting at his fathers feet. They write marvelous heart felt letters of encouragement when needed and yet might not say too much by way of personal stuff to many. They keep confidences. You might easily see him with a crowd of little ones about him as he helps to teach them something or play with them. He will watch an old movie and play cards with his siblings or parents ,even when he would rather be playing "Stronghold Crusader" on his laptop.

He would give up his very life for his savior, his ideals and his family. He makes ice cream floats of all kinds-even strange concoctions- and gives his mom tea in bed. He bakes birthday cakes for his friends with his sister's recipes. He learns follow a recipe and make things in the crock-pot because he wants to be able to at least take care of his wife when the baby comes. You are likely to find him under a car, on top of a roof, mowing a lawn, mending the fence, writing a book, working the night shift to help the family-anywhere that will require hard work, initiative and drive-but not for his own sake.

They are so admired and dearly loved by their families because they are an indispensable source of joy and encouragement, strength of character and servitude. They are never truly independent, because they have come to that wonderful place in the Christian life where they realize, that they must be dependent on God alone in His sovereignty, and the people that He has placed in his life.

Therefore, he is a true man's man. A giant. One to look up to. A hero. A leader among his peers. Strong, steady, dependable and one that you could place your life and the lives of your children into his capable and loving hands-with no regrets or fears."

Kathy Gruben 2006
 

A Letter from a Grandmother

Dear Maidens,
        I would love to share with you how wonderful being a grandmother of a young lady is, and the joys that you can share with your grandmother if she is near. Yesterday, I had the privilege of wrapping up my 12 year old first grandchild, Sarah in one of my aprons and baking bread and making cup cakes with her. She was eager to learn about baking and we laughed and talked as we measured, blended, kneaded and rolled dough and made cakes. Sarah had never even thought that you could make bread at home, so it was an adventure and a challenge for her to do this. Oh, how delighted she was when the yeast made the bread rise, and when the bread at last was ready to eat, she was excited like a little girl- which she still is really. She is my woman-girl grandchild who shared her hopes and dreams with me as we washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.

We talked about many things to do with baking and cooking, housecleaning and food hygiene and presentation. But most of all we shared about the future ministry of being a wife and mother. Quietly I answered her questions as she opened up her heart to me-.questions on dating, purity, marriage, birth and breast-feeding and beginning the journey of womanhood and the importance of keeping her thoughts guarded as she starts secondary college and beyond. Sarah and I glowed as we relished the close relationship that a grandmother can have with her grand-daughter and I would encourage you to seek out your grandmother for wisdom in all things...she has a wealth of life experience that she would love to share with you. Grandmother will never replace Mother, but she will find a special place in your heart and memories that only a Grandmother can if you seek her out. Not only will you be blessed, but Grandmother will be blessed that she can impart her knowledge and love to you as she imparted it to child, your Mother , before you. Our wise God has told us older women to teach the younger women (our daughters, and our grand-daughters, and yourselves) His ways... and His ways are good.   May you and your Grandmother be blessed in your fellowship together. 

Blessings from a grandmother of 10 (so far).              

Glenys Robyn Hicks

[Glenys is my friend... I have a special section here on our website that
features her work I call it: Spending Time With Glenys]