Have you ever noticed how in the scriptures men are always going up into the mountains to commune with the Lord?
Yet in the scriptures we hardly ever
hear of women going to the mountains.
But we know why — right?
Because the women were too busy
keeping life going;
they couldn’t abandon babies,
meals,
homes,
fires,
gardens,
and a thousand responsibilities to make the climb into the mountains!
I was talking to a friend the other day,
saying that as modern woman
I feel like I’m never “free” enough
from my responsibilities,
never in a quiet enough space
I want with God.
Her response floored me,
“That is why God comes to women.
Men have to climb the mountain to meet God, but God comes to women where ever they are.”
I have been pondering on her words for weeks and have searched my scriptures
to see that what she said is true.
God does in deed come to women
where they are,
when they are doing their ordinary,
everyday work.
He meets them at the wells
where they draw water for their families,
in their homes,
in their kitchens,
in their gardens.
He comes to them
as they sit beside sickbeds,
as they give birth,
care for the elderly,
and perform necessary mourning and burial rites.
Even at the empty tomb,
Mary was the first to witness Christ’s resurrection,
She was there because she was doing the womanly chore of properly preparing Christ’s body for burial.
In these seemingly mundane
and ordinary tasks,
these women of the scriptures found themselves face to face with divinity.
So if — like me — you ever start to bemoan the fact that you don’t have as much time to spend in the mountains with God as you would like. Remember, God comes to women. He knows where we are and the burdens we carry. He sees us, and if we open our eyes and our hearts we will see Him, even in the most ordinary places and in the most ordinary things.
He lives. And he’s using a time such as this to speak to women around the world.
-Heather F
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Monday, April 6, 2026
Friday, September 5, 2025
The Real Story Behind “Rock-a-Bye Baby”
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She saw something unusual — the tribe’s babies were not lying in cradles on the ground. Instead, they were gently tied and hung in small cradles from the branches of birch trees. Effie thought it was strange at first. But as she stayed longer, she began to understand.
The babies were high above the ground, safe from bugs, hot sun, and wild animals. As the wind blew, the trees rocked them gently — just like a mother’s arms. Each baby lay peacefully, watching birds, butterflies, and the dancing leaves. The fresh air touched their skin, and they smiled at the world around them.
Effie was deeply touched. One day, she saw a Muskogee mother looking at her child hanging in the cradle. The mother softly sang a song in her native language. As she sang, a tear fell from her eye.
Here is what the song meant:
Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
Effie wrote down the song and shared it with others. It became the lullaby we all know today as “Rock-a-Bye Baby.”
But most people never knew the deep meaning behind the song.
The Muskogee mother cried because she knew what the song truly meant. The “branch” holding her baby would one day break. Not from danger — but because her child would grow. He would outgrow the cradle, fall to the ground, and become strong enough to stand. One day, her baby would no longer need her protection. He would become a man.
The cradle falling was not the end. It was the beginning of his life’s journey.
---
A Message to All
This lullaby was born from Native American love and wisdom. It reminds us that every moment is precious, that letting go is part of love, and that nature teaches us the gentlest lessons.
Honor the roots of this song. Honor the Native voices that carried its meaning in their hearts.
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
Effie wrote down the song and shared it with others. It became the lullaby we all know today as “Rock-a-Bye Baby.”
But most people never knew the deep meaning behind the song.
The Muskogee mother cried because she knew what the song truly meant. The “branch” holding her baby would one day break. Not from danger — but because her child would grow. He would outgrow the cradle, fall to the ground, and become strong enough to stand. One day, her baby would no longer need her protection. He would become a man.
The cradle falling was not the end. It was the beginning of his life’s journey.
---
A Message to All
This lullaby was born from Native American love and wisdom. It reminds us that every moment is precious, that letting go is part of love, and that nature teaches us the gentlest lessons.
Honor the roots of this song. Honor the Native voices that carried its meaning in their hearts.
Friday, August 8, 2025
An Amazing Note From Mom - To A Disrespectful Son . . .
Parenting a teenager is rarely a smooth ride.
For Heidi Johnson, a single mom from Alaska, that reality came crashing down one afternoon in 2015 when her 13-year-old son, Aaron, crossed a line she couldn’t ignore. Instead of raising her voice or grounding him, Heidi decided to send her message in a different way.
The Breaking Point
It all began when Aaron started treating their home less like a family space and more like a hotel where he believed the rules didn’t apply to him. He had been making a little money from his YouTube channel and, according to Heidi, had recently become “mouthy, defiant, and disrespectful.”
On this particular day, an argument escalated over chores and privileges. Aaron insisted that because he was earning his own money, he could do whatever he pleased. He ignored her requests to help around the house and acted as though she had no authority over him.
Heidi took a deep breath. Yelling, she knew, would only make things worse. Instead, she went to her desk, pulled out a piece of paper, and began to write.
The Letter That Started It All -
The Breaking Point
It all began when Aaron started treating their home less like a family space and more like a hotel where he believed the rules didn’t apply to him. He had been making a little money from his YouTube channel and, according to Heidi, had recently become “mouthy, defiant, and disrespectful.”
On this particular day, an argument escalated over chores and privileges. Aaron insisted that because he was earning his own money, he could do whatever he pleased. He ignored her requests to help around the house and acted as though she had no authority over him.
Heidi took a deep breath. Yelling, she knew, would only make things worse. Instead, she went to her desk, pulled out a piece of paper, and began to write.
The Letter That Started It All -
The letter began formally, as if addressing a tenant rather than a child:
“Dear Aaron,
Since you seem to have forgotten that you are only 13, and I’m the parent, and since you have decided you no longer need my guidance, it’s time for a lesson in independence.
If you want to be treated like a grown man who doesn’t have to follow my rules, then you will need to take on the responsibilities of one. Starting today, you will pay rent, utilities, and for your own food.”*
She went on to list his “fees” in detail:
Rent: $430
Electricity: $116
Internet: $21
Food: $150
And she didn’t stop there.
“If you fail to do your chores, there will be a $30 maid fee for each day I have to clean up after you. You’ll also need to empty the trash, vacuum and sweep, clean the bathroom weekly, cook some of your own meals, and keep your room tidy.”
Finally, she ended with the line that made readers everywhere either cheer—or gasp:
“If you decide you’d rather be my child again instead of a roommate, we can renegotiate terms.”
The Immediate Fallout
Heidi taped the letter to Aaron’s bedroom door and walked away. A few minutes later, she heard the telltale sound of paper being ripped. Aaron crumpled the note, tossed it on the floor, and stormed out of the house.
“He was furious,” Heidi later recalled. “He wanted the independence but none of the responsibility.”
But as the evening went on, the anger began to fade. By bedtime, Aaron had returned home and retreated to his room without a word.
“Dear Aaron,
Since you seem to have forgotten that you are only 13, and I’m the parent, and since you have decided you no longer need my guidance, it’s time for a lesson in independence.
If you want to be treated like a grown man who doesn’t have to follow my rules, then you will need to take on the responsibilities of one. Starting today, you will pay rent, utilities, and for your own food.”*
She went on to list his “fees” in detail:
Rent: $430
Electricity: $116
Internet: $21
Food: $150
And she didn’t stop there.
“If you fail to do your chores, there will be a $30 maid fee for each day I have to clean up after you. You’ll also need to empty the trash, vacuum and sweep, clean the bathroom weekly, cook some of your own meals, and keep your room tidy.”
Finally, she ended with the line that made readers everywhere either cheer—or gasp:
“If you decide you’d rather be my child again instead of a roommate, we can renegotiate terms.”
The Immediate Fallout
Heidi taped the letter to Aaron’s bedroom door and walked away. A few minutes later, she heard the telltale sound of paper being ripped. Aaron crumpled the note, tossed it on the floor, and stormed out of the house.
“He was furious,” Heidi later recalled. “He wanted the independence but none of the responsibility.”
But as the evening went on, the anger began to fade. By bedtime, Aaron had returned home and retreated to his room without a word.
An Apology and a Turning Point
The next day, something surprising happened. Aaron emerged from his room, quieter than usual, and handed some of his belongings—like his laptop and certain gaming privileges—back to his mom. He admitted he had been acting entitled and asked what he could do to make things right.
They sat down together and talked—not just about chores, but about respect, responsibility, and how the real world works. In the end, they drew up a more reasonable “family contract” outlining expectations for both of them.
“He’s still a teenager, so we have our moments,” Heidi said, “but he understood the point. And honestly, we became closer after it.”
The Post That Went Viral
Before Aaron had even read the letter, Heidi had taken a photo of it and posted it to her Facebook page—intending to share it with a few friends for a laugh. She didn’t realize her privacy settings were on “public.”
Within hours, the post began spreading across the internet. Parents everywhere shared it, praising her for taking a stand. Others criticized her, saying she was humiliating her son or being too harsh.
The story appeared on news outlets around the world, from Parents Magazine to The Independent. It was translated into multiple languages and debated on parenting forums.
The Mother’s Defense
When the backlash hit, Heidi spoke up.
“I didn’t post it to shame him,” she explained. “I wanted him to understand that freedom comes with responsibility. If you want to be treated like an adult, you have to act like one.”
She also emphasized that she loved her son deeply and that the letter wasn’t the start of some cold war between them—it was a wake-up call.
And in the end, Aaron himself admitted it worked. “He didn’t love it at the time,” Heidi laughed, “but he got the message.”
Why the Story Resonated
Parenting experts say the letter struck a nerve because it reflects a modern struggle: raising children in a world where independence can come early—especially with online income or social media fame—but emotional maturity often lags behind.
For some parents, the letter was an empowering example of “tough love.” For others, it was a cautionary tale about publicizing private family matters.
Either way, one thing is certain: a piece of paper taped to a bedroom door became a parenting moment seen by millions.
Where They Are Now
Heidi and Aaron continued to navigate the teen years together, with more open conversations and clearer boundaries. The viral fame faded, but the lesson didn’t.
As Heidi later said:
“I don’t regret it. Parenting is about teaching our kids how to survive without us one day. If that means putting pen to paper to make the point, so be it.”
The next day, something surprising happened. Aaron emerged from his room, quieter than usual, and handed some of his belongings—like his laptop and certain gaming privileges—back to his mom. He admitted he had been acting entitled and asked what he could do to make things right.
They sat down together and talked—not just about chores, but about respect, responsibility, and how the real world works. In the end, they drew up a more reasonable “family contract” outlining expectations for both of them.
“He’s still a teenager, so we have our moments,” Heidi said, “but he understood the point. And honestly, we became closer after it.”
The Post That Went Viral
Before Aaron had even read the letter, Heidi had taken a photo of it and posted it to her Facebook page—intending to share it with a few friends for a laugh. She didn’t realize her privacy settings were on “public.”
Within hours, the post began spreading across the internet. Parents everywhere shared it, praising her for taking a stand. Others criticized her, saying she was humiliating her son or being too harsh.
The story appeared on news outlets around the world, from Parents Magazine to The Independent. It was translated into multiple languages and debated on parenting forums.
The Mother’s Defense
When the backlash hit, Heidi spoke up.
“I didn’t post it to shame him,” she explained. “I wanted him to understand that freedom comes with responsibility. If you want to be treated like an adult, you have to act like one.”
She also emphasized that she loved her son deeply and that the letter wasn’t the start of some cold war between them—it was a wake-up call.
And in the end, Aaron himself admitted it worked. “He didn’t love it at the time,” Heidi laughed, “but he got the message.”
Why the Story Resonated
Parenting experts say the letter struck a nerve because it reflects a modern struggle: raising children in a world where independence can come early—especially with online income or social media fame—but emotional maturity often lags behind.
For some parents, the letter was an empowering example of “tough love.” For others, it was a cautionary tale about publicizing private family matters.
Either way, one thing is certain: a piece of paper taped to a bedroom door became a parenting moment seen by millions.
Where They Are Now
Heidi and Aaron continued to navigate the teen years together, with more open conversations and clearer boundaries. The viral fame faded, but the lesson didn’t.
As Heidi later said:
“I don’t regret it. Parenting is about teaching our kids how to survive without us one day. If that means putting pen to paper to make the point, so be it.”
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Really Easy Cute/Beautiful Christmas Craft Ideas
I found this on Instagram, and I soooo wish I could have found it on youtube so you could just click on the video - but I looked and there are A LOT of them!
But I liked this on the most - so pretty and easy, too.
SUPER DUPER EASY FLOWER
Of course can use any occasion napkins and/or paper
Toilet paper roll SNOWFLAKE
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SUPER DUPER SUPER EASY
STAR
Easy Origami Ornament
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Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
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