Godly Women's Magazine Alternative

I have told you before how modern women's magazines make me mad. I'm all for free speech, but just because they can publish it doesn't mean I have to read it. So, I usually don't. That is a personal choice, of course. You are welcome to do what you want. However, I want to show you that there are other options out there.

Fellow homeschoolers will remember TEACH magazine dreamed up by Lorrie Flem. This is one subscription I always wanted,  but I never got around to signing up. Then, I quit hearing about it. After spending time feeling guilty that I hadn't subscribed and therefore the magazine had folded, (yes, I have moments of thinking of myself as more important than I am!) I discovered that they had merely changed its name.

The new and improved magazine is no longer just for homeschooling moms but for all women. It is now called Eternal Encouragement.

When I received my copy, I was encouraged. All photos were pictures of real, non-airbrushed women in modest clothing. However, the best part was the articles. They actually have something to say and are certainly a dose of encouragement!

The format is a full-color, glossy magazine. No stapled together computer paper....this magazine is professionally done. :-) I also love the fact that it is a book size instead of the 8 1/2 x 11 of most magazines. That means I can stick it in my purse to read when I'm out waiting somewhere.

Of course, they also have a digital subscription for those that prefer to read magazines on their computer or mobile device. I'm not quite there yet. Every subscription also receives access to the EE Etc. web magazine that is published 8 times a year. It has the same type of articles, just extra for those who can't get enough of Eternal Encouragement magazine and want more.

That's Lorrie with a copy of Eternal Encouragement!

As a Gabby Mom, I want to encourage you to subscribe. Your dollars will go to a valid, growing ministry rather than a dubious group of advertisers. You will close the back cover feeling motivated to live closer to God rather than inadequate because you don't have the right clothes or body shape.

And, you won't have to worry about your boys getting a glimpse of the cover, if you know what I mean!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the magazine for review purposes (after I had already purchased my own!) and will receive no other compensation either for my review or for any subscriptions as a result of my review.

Is Treasure Too Much Responsibility?

Let's say you are a millionaire. (It's fun to pretend, isn't it?) You can have just about anything you want of material things. You have a beautiful home and a plentiful budget for all necessities and many luxuries.


What would you think if I came to your home and surveyed the lovely surroundings and pitied you? "Oh, how do you do it all?" Or if I came to your garage and saw your collection of nice cars and said, "Oh dear, you sure have your hands full!" What if I sat down at your table to an expensive meal and said, "I could never do this!"

You might pity me, and rightly so. My comments would show such a misunderstanding of the treasure that you have and might even suggest jealousy of your bounty.

Would you limit your enjoyment of God's gifts because I, and perhaps the general population, was disapproving of your choice to multiply your resources? Maybe you would tell your employer to please stop paying you because you couldn't handle any more riches? Would you give all your money to someone else and live the life of a pauper?

The truth is, that no matter how spiritual we act, we would all welcome, if not millions, at least enough money to go through life without worrying about being able to pay the mortgage and a large hospital bill in the same month.

Yet, when it comes to the treasures God has given us in our children, so many look on with disapproval. All they see is the responsibility that these precious blessings create for parents. So, they expect us to give them to someone else to enjoy while we chase after glittery joys that look gaudy at best when held to the light of eternity. Or maybe not to accept them at all.

These thoughts came to me as I was listening to Lorrie Flem's audio recording of "Daily Treasures" as part of my Gabby Moms commitment. One can tell by her words that she genuinely treasures her eight children. In fact, her small son opens for her by announcing his own mother in such a cute lisp that I couldn't help but smile at the sweetness of it. She speaks of the joys of children and what kind of a mother Mary was and how she can encourage us in our pursuit of caring for these treasures with which some of us have been so blessed.


In Lorrie's words:

"What dime store treasures are we holding so tightly that we miss the real treasures that we have?"

Don't trade your costly pearls for the cheap, vending machine variety! If you suggest that I do so, I'll smile at you in pity. Because you have no idea just how blessed I am.

Disclaimer: I received this audio for review purposes free of charge but received no other compensation.. All opinions are mine.

Been Coughing Lately? (Review and Giveaway)

It seems that as soon as we stop spreading holiday cheer, we begin spreading germs from after-holiday illnesses. Everywhere we go, people are coughing and blowing noses---symptoms of respiratory viruses and infections. It is almost inevitable that our children will come down with something during the winter cold and flu season.

It hit my kids a couple of weeks ago. A barking kind of cough, slight runny noses and low grade fevers. Not fun for any of us. Especially when it disrupts sleep---both the sleep of the child AND the parent (that would be me). Thankfully, I was already somewhat prepared, if not for the illness at least the symptoms.

A few months ago, I contacted TriLight Health, an herbal supplement company, to find out what would ease my child's coughing so he could sleep at night. They recommended two products, one of which I've already reviewed. However, my favorite product for coughing so far is the fast-acting LymphaRub.

My 15-month-old had the cough the worst. About 10 minutes after I would lay him down at night, he would start coughing. Then, he would start gagging. If you have not had children, I will just tell you that this is not a good thing and can produce some very unpleasant results. (Not that this has ever happened to me or my kids, of course!)

Then, I remembered my little miracle bottle of LymphaRub. My friends at TriLight had told me that if I put one drop on the back of his throat, it would ease coughing.

Fearing the gag reflex more than his possible adverse reaction to the taste, I squirted a drop between his teeth, hoping it hit its mark. (I have not had good experience with babies opening their mouths voluntarily for medicine or some select vegetables.)

It was amazing! Within 5 minutes, the coughing had stopped and within 10 minutes he was asleep. (Yes, both occurrences are equally amazing!) I did this for about 3 nights until the cough was over, and it worked every time.

The ironic thing about the LymphaRub helping coughs is that it is not even for coughing in particular! That was just a side benefit. It is for instant relief of sore throats or for external application to sore muscles or ears in the case of earaches.

I'm excited about all the possibilities for this little wonder bottle. However, I would prefer to wait a while for the chance to use it again!

TriLight Health wants to give away one of these potent little bottles to one of our readers!

To enter the giveaway, simply check out their site and mention what other product you would like to try in the comments on this post.

For extra entries:

• Like Cherish the Call on Facebook and comment on this post letting us know you did.
• Subscribe to this blog via e-mail or a reader and comment on this post letting us know you did.
• Tweet this post on Twitter or post the link on your Facebook page, and leave us a comment letting us know you did.

It is very important that you leave a comment on this post for each thing you do in order to get all of your entries!

Giveaway will end Friday, February 10 at 9 P.M. EST and will be available to U.S. residents only. Winner will be announced in the Saturday, February 11 Weekend Reflections post.

Disclosure: I received no compensation other than a free product in exchange for this review. The opinions in this post are my own and are not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition. This post does contain affiliate links.

Gabby Mom Review: Eternal Encouragement Newsletter

So I'm a gabby mom. But you already knew that. What I really mean is:

That just means I get to review wonderful products from Eternal Encouragement and tell you about them. Some of them will cost some money if you decide you want to try them. However, this month I am reviewing a product that all of you can enjoy for FREE!

Every Thursday, Lorrie Flem, the lovely lady behind Eternal Encouragement sends out a newsletter full of....well, encouragement. No lectures or guilt-inducing lists of things you should be doing. Lorrie just gives you information that will motivate you to be the best wife and mother you can be.

Sometimes Lorrie just shows us her sense of humor. Like when she shared her new diet plan in a recent newsletter:

Instead of changing my eating habits, I'm just switching my shower body wash for Dawn dish soap. Its label reads, "Dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."

Other times, a gentle reminder of what we already know can keep us where we need to be:

Don't let unforgiven wrongs turn into bitterness. Instead, choose to forgive the people who have betrayed you. By forgiving, you refuse to allow this tragedy to destroy you or your family.

 Each newsletter is, in Lorrie's words:

Dedicated to women who hunger and search for righteousness where

              the fruit is peace, quietness, confident trust, and a sparkle in her eye.

Doesn't that sound like what we all need? When you sign up to receive the free newsletter here, you'll even receive an extra freebie: Lorrie's e-book, Organizing Happiness.

Be encouraged!