Monday, January 24, 2011

The Gabby Mom's - January Mission: True Treasures

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THE GABBY MOMS
We Gab * We Giggle * We Glitter
Are you familiar with Lorrie Flem and TEACH Magazine (now called Eternal Encouragement)? If you are homeschooling you will want to!! A few years ago a wonderful friend shared Lorrie with me and I have been hooked ever since.  This year I have been given the opportunity to be part of her new The Gabby Moms, I'm so thrilled to be apart of this amazing group of women! My "mission" this January is to share a new book she's published will all my friends.


True Treasures is an amazing collection of the best of the best articles from the last ten years of TEACH Magazine on topics relating to homemaking, moms, marriage and parenting.

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Through knowledge it's rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24: 3-4

True Treasures is divided into 6 sections, each one full of inspiring ideas, wisdom from the hearts of women, and encouragement to help you be a better wife, mother, and homemaker.

• Jewels That Make the Heart Sparkle
• Marriages Made of Solid Gold
• Parenting Pearls: Practical and Priceless
• Homemaking That Dazzles Like Diamonds
• Homeschooling Nuggets of Wisdom
• Godly Living That Glitters



Weather you have 5 minutes or two hours, you can benefit from the wonderful encouragement that True Treasures has to offer: such as devotional thoughts, practical tips, encouragement, and inspiration on every page. Every time I picked up the book I was drawn to the marriage and parenting sections. It was wonderful to read and know that their are other Mom's and Wives going through the same things as I am going through!

While reading in the section Parenting Pearls: Practical and Priceless, I found my self laughing out loud (I will be adding the whining chair from page 57) In Addition I was also really convicted. This caused me to step back and look at my parenting thus far.

As a child, I had a dream. My true hearts desire was to become a Wife to a wonderful man...who I was sure would be Jordan from New Kids on the Block! In addition I wanted have Children and stay at home with them and homeschooling them, just like my mother stayed home and homeschooled me. I didn't know what the Lord had planned for me, but I knew that that was who I was going to be, a wonderful wife, the best mother, and a great teacher.

Fast forward 20+ years…

Earlier this month my oldest son turned 6. He is a wonderful little boy. Now, he's 6. With this 'new' big boy age there have been a lot new things, losing more teeth, eating more...and...More attitude. Suddenly he is 16, I don't know what has happened, have I done something wrong? He started complaining about everything, bickering with his younger siblings, and testing every single boundary about 6 months ago.  Bedtime became an unglued mess. I feel like I am losing my patience, I hate yelling but I do, I dislike the kind of Mommy I fear I am becoming.

While seeking the Lord things have become very clear. The Lord has showed me that I have been spending so much time trying to 'Change' my 6 year old that I have lost sight of the fact that I need to be the one to change. How can I raise a Christian man, when I am totally unglued? Which became abundantly apparent when I over heard my Children playing together. It was like a ton of bricks on my shoulders, Elias was acting like me. My Heart sunk, 'is this really who I have become?' I thought to my self. After spending some much needed time with the Lord, I found my boy and had a much needed talk. I apologized to my precious little boy. How was he supposed to meet these expectation set before him when I wasn't doing my job and guiding him? Actions truly do speak louder than words don't them?

While Seeking the Lord, I asked to him to show me where I need to change and boy did he! Spending more time with Jesus was a big lesson I had to learn. I'll be honest, life gets hectic with kids crying, yelling, asking for this, asking for that. Unfortunately, it's me who gets lost, my relationship with Jesus gets put on hold. And, for what? So I can lose my patience? I know that is NOT what God wants. 

Jesus is working me and doing some really amazing things. I prayed for the Lord to change me. Before, I was praying like this "Lord, what have I done, why have things be so hard, please help things get better. Amen." While reading in Philippians something stuck out at me. 'am I praying for the right things?'

Philippians 4:6 tells us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Over the past few months my prayers have become more like this " Lord, please help me train my children in a way that is pleasing to you, guide me to be the Mother you want me to be. Please, Lord help me also become the wife that you created me to be..."

Proverbs 2:6 reads: "For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."


My life is never too hectic to spend time with my heavenly Father. I have a fire inside me for the Lord that I have not had in quite sometime and it feels WONDERFUL! I have been so surprised that the amount of patience I have acquired through the Lord.  Like today for instance, standing in the middle of my Living Room, I look around and think to myself, 'it looks like I run an in home daycare with 30 kids.' I'm not mad or upset; I just laugh and thank God for the wonderful gift of getting to spend everyday with my wonderful Children. The sit down on the floor and play too!

Proverbs 24:3-4 "By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures."


Living everyday with joy and happiness has left my children living everyday with joy and happiness. Being a mommy is more that just talking at your children, being a mother is guiding your children in more than just word but by actions! My son sees me spending time with the Lord everyday, because of this he spends his own time with Lord, praying for friends and family! He recently was drawing and so excited to show me what he had drawn. "It me mommy, and that is Jesus living in my heart!" With tears in my eyes and warmth in my heart I gave my little guy a squeeze!

Psalm 118:24 "The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad. "


Read Excerpts from True Treasures HERE!

At the end of the Parenting section there is a page entitled 'Bible verses to Pray for your children' (page 53) No matter how many times I opened the book, with out fail I found my self on that page, reading the verses over and over. These verses are what encouraged and pushed me into this 'art' project!
Elias age 6
Simon age 16 months
Gabbi age 16 months

I made a these photos of my children and added a bible verse to each. These photos will be displayed over our bed in our master bedroom. A bright reminder that these three little people are a wonderful gift, given from the Most High.

"But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children" Psalm 103:17

Oh my goodness!! I almost forgot to mention 'Yippee it's STILL Free!' (page 85)

Yippee it's STILL Free is one of the longest running columns from TEACH. In the beginning it contained addresses and phone numbers of companies with free Homemaking and Homeschooling help. Now with the amazing technology we have at our fingertips it is chock full of fantastic websites full of Freebies!!

I completely love gardenofprasie.com - themathworksheetsite.com & letteroftheweek.com they have tons of great printables that my son loves! Our family LOVES pandora.com I think we probably have 10 stations we have created for every changing mood!! There are honestly so many sites listed that I have only visit 2/3 of them!!

True Treasures is a wonderful resource for everyone, weather you be brand new mom to the most seasoned homemaker such as my Mom who was encouraged by the word in the book and wished she had it when all nine of us where still at home. Then there's me! I have been married for nearly 10 years, a mama for 6 (to my 6 year old son and my 16 month old boy/girl twins), and homeschooling since birth...but structured for 4, and I found encouragement on every page. Truly this is a resource I'll turn to for inspiration again and again...I already have!

Every Mama, Wife and Teacher needs encouragement and to know that someone truly understands! You can always find the best with True Treasures, Eternal Encouragement magazine, and at http://www.homemakingwithteach.com/.

Click HERE to order your very own copy of True Treasures! The regular price is $19.99, however, if you order before May 31st 2011 you can get $4.00 off by entering the code GabbyMom at checkout. (Only 1 use per customer and per order.)

Please check out all the other great resources available at http://www.homemakingwithteach.com/ including the wonderful magazine where all the articles from True Treasures came from, Eternal Encouragement (formerly TEACH) You can download a FREE SAMPLE ISSUE to see why it is truly a blessing for all women today!
butterfly Glitter Graphics - Glitterlive.com





"Our impact on the next generation may
be far greater than we realize. Don't discount
your work today. You never know what your long-term
yield will be. Keep on keeping on. Love, Lorrie"
(Letters from Lorrie's Laundry Room, Spring 2003)

**I received True Treasures for honest review from TEACH (Eternal Encouragement) Magazine as a part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own.**




butterfly Glitter Graphics - Glitterlive.com
Mama Britni

12 comments:

  1. Hi! Thorough review! I am now following you as well. Blessings from a fellow Gabby Mom

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  2. From a home school mom of 5 for 20 years...ENJOY your children as much as you can. It is true that before you know it, they won't be there anymore!
    The moments you have now will never be given to you again so enjoy them!

    Fellow Gabby mom and newest follower
    http://for-one-another.blogspot.com/2011/01/true-treasures-review.html

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  3. Excellent review! I look forward to getting to know you better through Gabby Moms! Blessings!

    Tina
    www.tina.thejobes.com

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  4. Oh yes. The parenting articles were very convicting weren't they?! Great review!

    Blessings from a fellow Gabby Mom,
    Kara
    www.homewithpurpose.blogspot.com

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  5. Thanks for popping in on my blog. Good job on yours also! - Fellow GM

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  6. wow this review is awesome the best by far.

    fellow gabby mom

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  7. Great review!! I love the photo idea, think I'm gonna hafta steal that one from ya =)
    I'm following now too!
    Looking forward to getting to know you through Gabby Moms.

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  8. I love the colors of your blog, Britni! They go so well with the Gabby Moms button, too! Thank you for taking the time to come on over and visit my website.

    Julieanne
    http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

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  9. I just set up the google connect thing on my blog since it seems many Gabby Moms have this. I have 6 children - including 11 year old boy/girl twins! Following you now! Blessings!

    www.tina.thejobes.com

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  10. I love your blog background and the pictures you shopped of your children with the verses are wonderful. That is a creative idea!
    Carie (a fellow Gabby Mom)

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  11. Following as a fellow Gabby Mom... loved this review! You are so creative!

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  12. Great! Thank you for sharing the Gabby Mom's Link! Your review is by far my most favorite! It was so heartfelt! I really love that you shared your personal struggle and how God helped you through it! I had not heard of Lorrie or TEACH until today, I am so happy to have now! I can't wait to get my own copy of True Treasures for me and a few family members who I think could really benefit from it! Thank you again, You made my day!

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