Before I began this journey I was in bondage to my ways: ways I had been taught were biblical. It turns out that some of what I was taught wasn’t biblical at all but rather it made me put other gods before the one true God. I had given the scriptures of Proverbs 31 more influence over my life than God.

He is graceful. He is just. He forgives.

Today, my new ebook goes on sale. I’d be honored if you picked up a copy. Visit our site: Pursuit of Proverbs 31.

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Before I began this journey I was in bondage to my ways: ways I had been taught were biblical. It turns out that some of what I was taught wasn’t biblical at all but rather it made me put other gods before the one true God. I had given the scriptures of Proverbs 31 more influence over my life than God.

He is graceful. He is just. He forgives.

Today, my new ebook goes on sale. I’d be honored if you picked up a copy. Visit our site: Pursuit of Proverbs 31.

In addition, the first 31 people to tweet, post on Facebook, or blog about the book will receive a free copy. Simply link to the site: http://pursuitofproverbs31.com and once your tweet or post is live send the URL to inquiry (at) amybayliss (dot) com to claim your free book. I’ll remove this once the 31 are claimed.

Possible posts or tweets:

• Journey with Amy Bayliss (@AmyGBayliss) as she walks you through a new way of seeing Proverbs 31 http://pursuitofproverbs31.com/
• Amy’s (@AmyGBayliss) new book “Pursuit of Proverbs 31″ reveals the heart of the Proverbs 31 woman. http://pursuitofproverbs31.com/
• Let go of the “check list” mentality of the Proverbs 31 woman. See her in a new light! Amy unveils how: http://pursuitofproverbs31.com/
• Do you think you know the Proverbs 31 woman? Amy’s (@AmyGBayliss) new book is a tell all! http://pursuitofproverbs31.com/
• Are you tired of not measuring up? Grab a copy of Amy’s (@AmyGBayliss) new book and be set free! http://pursuitofproverbs31.com/

You can be set free from bondage too. Will you journey with us?

Also, On Monday, March 5th, Christin Slade will launch a book study on her site, Joyful Mothering, starting with chapter 1.

I will be making some exclusive videos, sharing my heart with you and even including some things which are not in the book.

There will be printables for you, and the community there is open for the taking.

If you want to stay up to date with all that is going on with the book be sure to follow the feed!

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…

Today’s post is by: Stephanie Shott

What’s The M.O.M. Initiative?

While many women dream of being the perfect mom who has all the right answers, never raises her voice and never has to count to three, we all know it’s not always easy being a mom. Those sweet little bundles of joy don’t come packaged with instruction manuals or warning labels and moms are often left to figure it out on their own.

The M.O.M. Initiative is an acrostic for Mothers On a Mission to Mentor Other Mothers. It exists as a group of moms and a package of resources to equip, enable and support women as they experience Titus 2 in real life. We want to help moms become the best moms they can possibly be.

The Website:

The M.O.M. Initiative website offers virtual encouragement for real life moms. The website exists as safe place to grow as a mother, to gain a better understanding of what a mother is and what a mother does and to foster and support mentor/mentee relationships.

Along with practical tips, helpful tools, godly wisdom and informative insight on current issues, The M.O.M. Initaitive website also offers a private chat room where a mom can connect with a ‘virtual’ mentor and find help in times of need. The website offers help for the mentor as well as the mentee.

The articles on The M.O.M. Initiative website are provided by a wonderful group of moms who are passionate about ministering to the hearts of mothers. Some are writers, speakers, counselors, nurses or experts in their fields, yet they all devote much time and effort to serving other mothers in whatever season of life they find themselves.

The Workbook:

The M.O.M. Initiative workbook is being developed to serve as a tool in the hands of Christian moms to help foster mentoring relationships beyond the four walls of the church and take Titus 2 to the streets. It will be an eight week study containing five lessons per week. Each day the mentee will be presented with biblical truths as well as mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and developmental needs of a child. She will also gain insight through thought provoking questions encouraging her to implement proactive mothering techniques.

The workbook will also provide a M.O.M. mentor guide and a missional planning guide in the back of the book.

Summed up, The M.O.M. Initiative is a missional mentoring package of resources that will give Christian mothers an easy, hands on approach to passionately pursue mentor relationships with younger mothers and mothers-to-be, and ultimately impact the next generation for Christ.

How Did The M.O.M. Initiative Get Started?

The M.O.M. Initiative was birthed from founder, Stephanie Shott’s own story. At the age of nineteen, she was a single mom. Without Christ and without a mentor, she made a series of serious choices that affected her precious young son. After becoming a Christian five years later she learned being a mom is much more than a three letter word and a handful of sacrifices. She also realize the significance of Titus 2:4-5.

What’s the Vision for The M.O.M. Initiative?

We believe that if the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, then the church that mentors those hands will win it.

The primary vision for The M.O.M. Initiative is that it not only be limited to those who enter the four walls of the church, but that it also be used to facilitate mentor relationships in homes for unwed mothers, in low income housing projects, apartment complexes, homeless shelters, prisons, juvenile shelters, schools, hospitals, the mission field and anywhere young mothers can be found. (Planning guides for each of these venues will be available in the back of the book.)

We are mothers on a mission to mentor other mothers and we really want to change the world one mom at a time! Won’t you join us?!

The M.O.M. Initiative is not just a book. It’s not just a website. IT’S A REVOLUTION!

To join the revolution and become a M.O.M. Mentor, please click the link: Become a Mentor

To learn more about The M.O.M. Initiative, you can visit our website at: M.O.M. Initiative

Don’t forget to visit me at Karen Ehman’s to enter for a chance to win a copy of Pursuit of Proverbs 31!

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Not long after that divine meeting my husband and I purchased several items that we knew a homeless person would be able to use. We put them in plastic baggies because we figured they could use that over and over. We now keep these bags in the car at all times and if we see someone asking for money, we simply grab a bag and ask the person, “Hey. Do you know of anyone who could use this stuff?” They either take it for themselves or take it for a friend. Either way they are always thankful.

Some of the things we include in the bags are:

• fruit juice or water
• healthy snacks
• socks
• wipes
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• tissues
• knit cap
• deodorant
• soap
• chapstick
• sunscreen
• pen
• paper
• a  note of encouragement

Most of these items are less than a dollar or free with sales/coupons. Each bag costs us less than $10. I’m sure we could be more elaborate but this meets the need and gives us a way to help that is beneficial to them and affordable for us.

What do you do when you see a  homeless person? Do you give them something similar? We’d love to have more ideas of how we can help.

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For the most part, I just use my all purpose spray and a micro-fiber cloth to clean but for certain jobs I prefer to have these homemade wipes. I make these mostly for the boys bathroom. Yeah, remember the messy boy bathroom issue? I leave these wipes in there so they can clean up accidents in a flash. I have to make things super simple for them. These wipes do the trick.

These are easy to grab and easy to use. They are boy proof!

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Wipes / Napkins (use in place of Clorox or Lysol wipes)

• 1 container
• 1-2 cups Natural All Purpose Spray
• 10-20 cloth napkins, Bounty paper towels, or cut up t-shirts

If you use the Bounty paper towels you will need to cut the roll in half with a bread knife and then remove the cardboard roll. You could also cut old t-shirts into squares and use them instead. I prefer using birdseye cloth napkins. These are very easy to make and I can have a lot (hundreds of them) for use as paper towels, dinner napkins, and wipes.

Place napkins inside of container. Pour All Purpose Cleaner over them until they are saturated. To use, remove a napkin, wring it out, and clean surfaces. Wash used napkin with laundry. Check out my 21 Ways to Use All Purpose Cleaner.

After napkins have been used, then washed, they can go right back into the solution. As the amount of liquid drops just add a bit more. I usually was the container in the dishwasher every 4th or 5th time I refill it. When I have to make a new gallon of the All Purpose Cleaner is usually the signal for me to wash the container.

Download Homemade All Purpose Cleaning Wipes Labels

For best results, print on mailing labels or Avery sticker paper. After adhering to bottle, use contact paper over the label to give it added protection.

• Clean Modern Label
• Vintage Antique Label
• Classic Natural Label
• Shabby Chic Label
• Funky Fun Label
• Traditional Contemporary
• Simple Earthy

Other posts in this series: Homemade All Natural Cleaning Products

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One of the best way to maintain a clean, healthy home is by preventing the spread of germs and bacteria. Washing your hands is the number one way to do this. Unfortunately, most of the hand soaps on the market today contain ingredients that dry hands out or worse, contain chemicals that can harm us. On top of that these hand soaps cost anywhere from $2-$5! To buy an all natural safe alternative is even more expensive. But, it doesn’t have to be.

This recipe can be made for less than $1.50 and it refills a soap dispenser 6 or more times. That is 25 cents a bottle!

Homemade Hand Soap Recipe

• 11 cups of water
• 1 bar of soap (Tom’s of Maine and Dr. Bronner’s Castile gave me the best results – Dove soap didn’t work)
• 1 tablespoon of glycerin
• 10 drops of essential oil ( I like lavender)

Use a grater or food processor and get the soap into small, fine bits. This allows them to melt faster. And yes, it it totally worth grating your fingernails for.

Bring four cups of water to a boil. Add the grated soap. Stir it until it melts completely. Add the glycerin. Once the soap is completely melted add the remaining water. Splitting up the water helps it to cool faster. Once the liquid is cooled, add the essential oils. Next, (DON’T skip this step) let it sit overnight. The solution will thicken to the consistency of phlegm.  Place on to two cups at a time in a blender and mix well. This will smooth it out so that it can be used in pumps. If it needs  a bit of water to thin it out you can add some. If you want it thicker add 2 more tablespoons of glycerin and allow it to sit for a few hours. If not, bottle it and enjoy!

For use in foaming soap pumps, add about 1/4 cup to the bottle and add the rest water. Shake to incorporate it.

This can be used in foaming soap dispensers. It can also be used as a body soap. One batch of this lasts my family of 6 for 4-5 months.

Download Homemade Hand Soap Labels

For best results, print on mailing labels or Avery sticker paper. After adhering to bottle, use contact paper over the label to give it added protection.

• Clean Modern Label
• Vintage Antique Label
• Classic Natural Label
• Shabby Chic Label
• Funky Fun Label
• Traditional Contemporary
• Simple Earthy

Other posts in this series: Homemade All Natural Cleaning Products

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I know you love your homemade All-Purpose Spray made from natural, safe, non-toxic ingredients but you’ve asked me over and over, “what else can I do with it?” So, here is my answer!

1. Clean your walls.
2. Clean and disinfect light switches, door knobs and phones. Spray onto micro-fiber cloth then wipe.
3. Clean small appliances. Spray onto micro-fiber cloth then wipe.
4. Clean large appliances, including stainless!
5. Spot clean floors.
6. Spray onto clothing stains to pre-treat.
7. Clean stepping stools.
8. Clean tsotchkes and knick-knacks.
9. Use to clean, disinfect, and repel bugs on outdoor furniture.
10. Clean cabinet doors.
11. Clean range hood.
12. Clean edges of photo frames. Spray onto micro-fiber cloth then wipe.
13. Clean kids toys.
14. Clean tennis shoes. Spray onto micro-fiber cloth then wipe.
15. Clean and disinfect infant and toddler equipment.
16. Clean and disinfect trash cans.
17. Clean laundry baskets.
18. Clean off products that may collect dust such as jars, bottles, containers, boxes, etc. Spray onto micro-fiber cloth then wipe.
19. Clean and disinfect pet toys and equipment.
20. Clean car interior.
21. Clean outdoor grill and other equipment.

Other posts in this series: Homemade All Natural Cleaning Products

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Maybe I’m a little strange but I just love the smell of furniture polish. It reminds me of when I was young, helping grandma clean the bookcases and old antique furniture. Furniture doesn’t require much to be maintained. Once a month give your furniture a good polishing with the recipes below. The remainder of the month, simply clean with a dry, cotton microfiber cloth.

Do not use water on wood that has not been painted, treated, varnished, or enameled. It can warp and discolor.

Furniture Polish for Varnished Wood

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon of homemade dish soap
• 10 drops of lemon essential oil

Spray onto a slightly damp, cotton microfiber cloth. Furniture polish should never be sprayed directly on furniture. Wipe furniture with the damp cloth then follow up by wiping with a dry, cotton cloth.

Furniture Polish for unVarnished Wood

• 1 cup olive oil (cheapest is fine)
• 1/4 cup clear distilled vinegar
• 10 drops of orange essential oil
• 10 drops of lemon essential oil

Add all ingredients into measuring cup and mix well. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into a squirt container. To clean furniture, pour a nickel sized amount onto a clean cotton microfiber cloth. Wipe using long strokes in the same direction. Follow up with a dry cotton cloth.

Electronics

To clean electronics simply spray some of the homemade window and mirror cleaner on a damp cotton microfiber cloth and wipe clean! This is not to be used on screens. Only use dry, lint-free cotton fiber cloth for screen cleaning. If you must use something wet when cleaning screens, a plain old alcohol pad is best.

Download Homemade Furniture Polish Spray Labels

For best results, print on mailing labels or Avery sticker paper. After adhering to bottle, use contact paper over the label to give it added protection.

• Clean Modern Label
• Vintage Antique Label
• Classic Natural Label
• Shabby Chic Label
• Funky Fun Label
• Traditional Contemporary
• Simple Earthy

Other posts in this series: Homemade All Natural Cleaning Products

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I chop, dice, and mince lots of things. Especially my Cajun mire poix (Cajun trinity). That means my cutting board gets plenty of use. I used to give it a good cleaning with household bleach but once I found out the effects of bleach I looked for an alternative. I found a natural solution sitting on my counter!

I just sprinkle some baking soda and sea salt over the surface and then use 1/2 lemon to scrub. That’s it!

For cutting boards that have been used to cut raw meats, straight vinegar with salt works well. I highly suggest you have separate cutting boards for produce and raw meats.

My family eats a lot of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, where we live organic (or pesticide free) produce is hard to come by. Sometimes we have to just suck it up and buy stuff on our dirty dozen list then clean it as best as we can. For example, bellpeppers are on the list of foods you should buy organic, but our stores don’t always carry organic bellpeppers. That is when we use our veggie spray.

The veggie spray can actually be used for all produce. You just spray it on. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse away. It will remove most of the pesticide residue and bacteria. The longer it sits the more it kills. This should not be used as a substitute all the time. Pesticides still get into the fruit of the produce if isn’t grown organically, but if you are in a pinch then this will be better than a normal rinse.

Veggie Spray (for all produce)

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 20 drops grapefruit essential oil

Here are some free printable labels for your produce spray. For best results, print on mailing labels or Avery sticker paper. After adhering to bottle, use contact paper over the label to give it added protection.

• Clean Modern Label
• Vintage Antique Label
• Classic Natural Label
• Shabby Chic Label
• Funky Fun Label
• Traditional Contemporary
• Simple Earthy

Other posts in this series: Homemade All Natural Cleaning Products

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Hi, ladies! My name is Misty Krasawski. I’m a Jesus loving mama of eight and we live in North Florida. I’ve been writing and blogging for the past six years, currently at Encouraging Hearts at Home. After attending the Relevant Conference last fall, as I was studying and seeking the Lord about what exactly He wanted me to focus on as a writer and blogger and sojourner along the path of life, I ran across these old familiar verses in Titus 2:3-4 …

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

And I had one of those “aha!” moments. Surely, here we have an outline for a great curriculum, if you will—a course of study we can’t go wrong with. Many ladies lament the fact that there are no “older women” nearby offering to spend time with them—most are busy with their own lives, or feel unable or unqualified to step into the scary-looking shoes of the “older woman” having not been mentored themselves. Others find that, as young mamas with little ones and carpool and soccer and chess and … and … and … they are the ones with no discretionary time, and wish so much for a way to study and learn “together” yet without leaving home.

Sounded like the perfect opportunity for a whole new type of ministry! And so, Titus 2 University was born.

Since there are seven specific areas mentioned here, this is a nine month “university.” We begin with a general overview of these topics and talk about what it means to be a woman who follows the Lord. Then for the next seven months, we focus on each subject above in turn.

And here’s the really fun thing, which makes me giddy every time I think about it … some very precious “sistren” have agreed to join us! We will cover loving our husbands with Cindy Rushton, loving our children with Sally Clarkson; being sensible with Crystal Paine; being pure with Chelsea Terwilliger; working at home with SarahMae; being kind with Emily Freeman; and being subject to our own husbands … with some brave soul who hasn’t turned up yet! We also have special interviews with Debbie Austin, Joy Forney, Kristen Kill, Ruth Schwenk, Christin Slade, Amy Bayliss, Brooke McGlothlin and more!

You can get all the details and read more about it here: Titus 2 University.

Right now we have ladies from all over the country involved– and a few international friends, too! We’d love to have you join us!

And here’s a special treat–If you decide to join us from this site, send me an email to let me know. I’ll make your last month of a monthly subscription *free,* or take $5 off the full-session purchase price. Hope to meet you soon!

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Serving for Him with joy …

www.encouragingheartsathome.com

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