Friday, March 15, 2024

Getting By without Debt

LOC: Sitting by the fireplace around 1925.


I was out in the rain doing errands. There was a chill and a weariness about me that made me long for home.  I looked forward to a cozy fire in the pellet stove and a comfortable room where I could rest.  But when I walked into the house, I found a cold and empty parlour.  It was soon explained to me that the wood pellet stove was broken.

I put on a thick house robe and made some tea.  There was nothing I could do about the broken stove.  I had to find another way to get warmed and rested. We pulled out a little space heater and set it up in the parlour.  It was nice to sit right next to it and get a bit of warmth and heat. 

In these modern days of central heat and efficient homes it is hard to imagine being cold. It used to be that people would gather around the fireplace where they could get warm.  There were times when there was a rocking chair by the kitchen stove. This was where the family spent their time staying cozy until bedtime. Then they would hurry upstairs to get under a pile of warm quilts.  Being cold was just the way it was. But those wood stoves were so comforting and helped keep out the chill.

Here in Northern Vermont, our winters are long and cold.  It is common for us to need the wood pellet stove into the month of May.  As spring comes along, it is needed less often, but always for a little while each day to keep the chilly air out of our house.  

Whenever there is a sudden expense we are facing, we have to stop and consider.  We cannot just spend money or place an order for these necessary things in life. Nobody is made of money. We have to get by and make do so that we have time to save up for the expense. We need to find a way to hang on and just do the best we can until money is available.

After careful investigation of our pellet stove, my husband has found the need for a replacement part.  He has been maintaining and repairing these types of stoves for us over the years.  The part he needs will cost a few hundred dollars.  It would be normal these days for people to get out a credit card and go into debt to get such a necessary part. But we cannot live on borrowed money. We only have the means to live within a careful budget. There are always going to be extra financial needs that come up. We can only handle a certain amount each month.  We cannot live in a way that is beyond our means. This would be dangerous and could leave one in dire circumstances.  Living within one's budget means we have to learn how to make do and to get by. This is common, old time living.

Brighter days will come.  There will not always be hardships. But when we have to endure some hard days because of our financial circumstances, we will come out of this with a feeling of peace and rest knowing it is the Lord who takes care of His children. He will always provide in His perfect timing. We will simply get by and make do, waiting for the storm clouds to clear. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Remembering my Childhood - When Television was Special

Some Encouragement - Why The High Cost of Food?

The Way it Was in the Old Days - Retirement Planning for the Poor

 

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


For a Peaceful, Old Fashioned Bible Time:

  

A 90 - Day devotional study by Mrs. White, featuring the writings of Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss from the 1800's.

The Prentiss Study Deluxe Edition

paperback, 105 pages, 6 x 9.

ISBN: 978-1956616040



 

 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Surrounded by Good Things in the Home

LOC: Mrs.Theodore Eickholt and her three children, Iowa, 1936.


A few years ago, I started to feel a heaviness. It was as if there was a dark cloud over my life.  I finally realized that I needed more cheerful things around me. 

The first thing I did was order myself a Christian-based calendar-planner book. This would be something I would see several times a day.  There are Bible verses for every single day of the year. This was something good for my home and life. It helped my mood a great deal.

Then I made sure my wall calendar was pretty. I stopped getting a cheap one from the dollar store because it was lacking something. When I switched to getting one from Sword of the Lord publishers or In Touch Ministry, I felt as if I was supporting good ministries while also having a beautiful, encouraging calendar that was also a necessary item for my home. 

The main screen on my computer has a wallpaper image with an encouraging quote by Charles Spurgeon. 

 

Part of an image on my computer screen, with an inspiring quote.

The walls of my house have mottoes with Bible verses and inspiring sayings to bring a smile and a bit of encouragement to weary minds.  

I believe there is a battle, in our day, over our emotions and thoughts which bring a great deal of anxiety, worry, and discouragement.  We need to counteract this with good things. We need to be surrounded by that which is good and lovely and peaceful.

In the old days mothers were busy keeping house, taking care of their children, gardening, and just trying to make sure all were fed and cared for.  Their own little world was simply their immediate family, neighbors in the community, and guests who visited. This was before there were television sets. It was before telephones became popular. The worries had more to do with what was happening in their own homes and lives.  They were not as overwhelmed and full of fear as we tend to be in our modern day with constant news updates from around the world.  We have so many distractions and things to plague our emotions.  We need to constantly seek peace and find a way to quiet our hearts and soothe our minds.

Keeping lovely things around the house is a tremendous help.  Having good friends and family members who bring cheer and a light of hope and help is a blessing.  But most of all, we need to keep reminding ourselves to "keep walking with the Lord."   

When we are discouraged and down, it is a good time to look at all the good things in our homes.  Take a few minutes to read the beautiful Psalms and Proverbs and find comfort in Scripture.  We need to take a break from trying to solve all of our problems or trying to imagine solutions and just rest in the presence of the Lord.  When we are at our wits end, on the verge of sorrow and fear, it is time to remember that we cannot walk this path in our own strength. It is impossible!

Scripture verses on the walls of a home, an open Bible displayed on a table, pretty flowers from the garden, and a lovely well-kept home will bring rest to our minds. Doing good things and being surrounded by good things is an excellent way to chase away the dark clouds of the world.  We can make the effort, each day, to spread sunshine and good will to our families. It all starts with being surrounded by good things.

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

* Notice: For those who are interested in helping us with the expense of our ongoing medical trips, a page has been set up with all the details: (Updated for the 2nd trip.)

https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/p/help-with-our-medical-trips.html

We are grateful for your kindness!

 

 From the Archives -

The Blessing of  -  The Mother Who Isn't Busy.

Happy and Frugal Kitchen work  - Basic Cookery.

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

 

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

 

 "At Mother's House" by Mrs. White:

  

For Encouragement in Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book, from 2016, "At Mother's House: The Blessing of Being a Christian Housewife."

In this book, you will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.

There are 40 entries which include:  "Poor and Pretty Living;" "A Home Without Clutter;" "The Money Packets;" "A Church Diet for the Family;" "Bringing Home Baby;" "The Children's Prayers;" "The Shabby Garden:" and "Just a Housewife."

Those who are seeking a peaceful home, with the Lord as the foundation, will find encouragement. (Paperback, 122 pages.)





 

 

 

 


Monday, March 4, 2024

Steady in Homemaking

The playground and park benches on our property.


It is so important to have a steady routine.  We have our meals at set times. There are chores to do throughout the day. We spend time visiting with family and guests as we provide a lovely haven of rest at home. All these lovely things, done with a good dose of cheer, will bring peace. 

To be steady and strong, requires dedication to hard work. This will impact others only when it is done with a love of good will. It has been said that happiness is not dependent on our circumstances. It comes from the heart. We need to nurture this wonderful feeling of joy by walking closely with the Lord and following the principles in Scripture. This brings a light to the world around us and warms the hearts of the family.  A dedicated homemaker is greatly needed to inspire and encourage the next generation.

Regardless of what is going on around us, in the neighborhood or with personal trials, we can remain steady in our homemaking.  Keeping house provides an anchor of stability in our lives. 

To be steady means to remain calm. It requires dignity, good manners, and a gracious attitude.  

When hard times come into the household, from worries, financial difficulties, or in stressful moments, we need to steady our actions and attitudes to keep the peace and remain a guiding light of goodness.

Sometimes I am listening to the troubles and trials of others and I don't know what to say.  I don't know how to help.  While they are speaking, I am learning to pray in my mind, such things as, "bless her, Lord." or "Heal him, Lord." Sometimes it helps to pray (in one's heart), "peace be upon him, Lord."   These are quiet conversations with God to help guide us and comfort us as we seek to comfort others. This is part of being steady and stable in our lives. We do not react to others based on moods or fluctuating emotions. We speak and we act with a quiet dignity and a sense of compassion. This spreads a light of virtue and brings rest to the difficult moment.   

We have had to take a few trips in the last few weeks for medical care*.  The journeys have been exhausting. There is a constant temptation to give in to fear and worry.  It is too easy to get caught up in the moment of trial and forget that one is an ambassador of a lovely Christian home. We need to remember to cultivate this kind of beautiful life whether we are at home or abroad. We need an orderly life with a heart for homemaking wherever we go.

One of the greatest needs we have in our day is to have a stable routine of homemaking.  The world is living on whims and emotions. The culture promotes self and boldness.  There is a lack of care and concern for members of the household. Many are doing their own thing rather than taking care of each other. This is not an environment which will nurture a rested heart or a strong family life. We need to get back to the task of old fashioned homemaking.

Blessings

Mrs. White

* Notice: For those who are interested in helping us with the expense of our ongoing medical trips, a page has been set up with all the details: (Updated for the 2nd trip.)

https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/p/help-with-our-medical-trips.html

 

We are grateful for your kindness!

 

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


Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Quick Update

Painting by Adriana van Ravenswaay, 1872.



This is just a quick note.  I have gotten behind in my projects and correspondence.  I am not feeling well.  We are getting ready to travel on another medical trip (in the next state) in a few days. I am overwhelmed and weary.  I appreciate your patience, kindness, and prayers.

I will write as soon as I am feeling better. Thank you for being here.

 


 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Overcoming Worries and Troubles - Reviving the Prayer Journal

Encouragement - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.

A Blessing in Hard Times - Peaceful Homemaking

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

 

 

 

Thursday, February 15, 2024

News from Home

The parlour table at Mrs. White's home in Vermont.


We just returned home from a medical trip. This was a long, overnight, journey into the next state. It has been bitterly cold outside. The temperature was 10 degrees and it was windy. It makes one extra tired to be out in such weather. Yet, the view of snow and the quiet of the scenery is lovely.

Often the stress of worrying about health issues can make things more difficult. I am looking forward to peaceful days at home as I rest and recover before I am needed again. We have been given another appointment for some tests which will happen very soon, before the end of this month. This will require another overnight trip. We will make the best of it and do what is necessary.

Just before we left on this journey, one of my grown daughters gave me a little bouquet of white roses.  I was so surprised and very thankful.  They have not lasted very long, but I am enjoying their beauty, at our parlour table, before they completely fade away. The flowers make me smile with a grateful heart.

I recently read a book by Janette Oke. I had never read any of her books before. This one was published by Bethany House with a publication date of 1992. It is called, The Measure of a Heart. It is a lovely Christian story that I enjoyed so much. I wonder why I never even thought of reading her stories?  I hope I can get more.

There are many things going on within our extended family that require prayer and support.  Much of it is health related.  I may have to make a sudden trip to my home state sometime this year. But I must not worry.  I need to go through life at a calm and steady pace, taking my direction from the dear Lord. He will provide me with a quiet heart and a sense of peace as He walks me through the daily work.  I am not alone. I am blessed.  

I have been very busy, in spare moments, doing book projects and making videos. But now I am tired. I don't know when I will do any of that again.  It is as if the Lord has said for me to have a time of rest and build up my strength for what lies ahead.  I am content with that and will find joy in simple living and gentle homemaking.

My heart is at peace. All is well.

Blessings

Mrs. White


From the Archives -

God's precious care of our lives (and a story about Mrs. Charles Spurgeon) - All of God's Children Have Shoes.

Lessons from my Childhood - Manners Learned at the Finishing School.

Serenity in the Midst of Sadness - The Shabby Garden.

 

 

 - 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