Summer’s here! I am sooooo happy about that! What are you going to do this summer to make your dreams come true in the fall? I heard about this guy in the video above on the Tom Woods Show. Then a few days later I listened to his presentation above as I drove to Midway for our family’s annual overnighter retreat. Hearing this speech above, then having fun on the mountain side making s’mores and going swimming, made for a very memorable night. The guy in the presentation is Hal Elrod, and in the video he shares what makes up a “Miracle Morning,” which are 6 habits you can incorporate every morning to make your life take a quantum leap. It’s so fascinating to me that 3 out of these 6 habits are the PoWeR actions I teach in the Mothers Who Know/ Eternal Warriors class. You can get more information here.
Mothers Who Know/Eternal Warriors Healthy Eating Class
A Book of Mormon-based Overcoming Emotional Eating Course for LDS Moms
over the phone and online in a Zoom classroom
Wednesday afternoons for 10 weeks
October 19 to December 28, 2016
with the week of Thanksgiving off
5 to 7:15 PM PT
6 to 8:15 PM MT
7 to 9:15 PM CT
8 to 10:15 PM ET
Classes are recorded!
The class is 2 hours+15 minutes each week and will last 10 weeks. Previously, the class was 8 weeks long but now there are six new lessons plus a three lessons specific to diet and sugar addiction, so I have expanded the length of the class and reformatted the class to fit in the new lessons. People who have taken the class before can take the class for the tuition price of $67 to learn the new lessons. New people may pay tuition price of $127 for the early bird price, $177 for the regular tuition price, $197 for the late price.
This class is for LDS moms who want to heal from emotional eating and being overweight.
The Book of Mormon-based principles used in this course, when applied, will help any mother to minimize self-betrayal tendencies, so she can succeed at daily habits and goals. She can also then mentor her children to be self-disciplined, which is necessary for staying away from addictions. The Book of Mormon as Pres. Benson said, was written for our day, for so many reasons. I am convinced that one reason was to teach us how to fight battles against satan, not just physical battles, but the battles he starts in our heads.
As I’ve pondered the porn epidemic that is sweeping our world as a plague, I am convinced that as mothers, we must fight back with a deep knowledge of his tactics. We must fight back by arming ourselves with more knowledge of how satan works at getting anyone addicted to anything from as young of age as possible. he wants to get us addicted to sugar, food, video gaming, screen time in general (Netflix, YouTube, social media, DVDs) yelling, getting angry, gossiping, reading fluff books, talking negatively, depression, anxiety, complaining, alcohol, drugs, and of course, porn, the king of addictions.
G.K. Chesterton once said, “Woman is the center and pillar of health.” This applies as much to physical health, in terms of preparing nourishing food for our families, as it does to mental and spiritual health. Addiction prevention starts in the home, and it starts with mothers: mothers who know what moral decency is, mothers who know how satan works to lower our standards of decency, and mothers who know how to fight satan and how to teach their children to fight satan and come off conqueror. When we as a mother can show that we are in self-control, even down to our eating habits, we set a powerful example to our children. They know who they can turn to when they want help with their self-defeating behaviors.
Do you want to be a Mother Who Knows? Do you want to be equipped with full knowledge of satan’s brain chemical warfare so you can teach your family how to kick his fanny? Then join us for this course!
Regular Overall Cost (tuition plus materials): $227 (if you miss the early bird deadline). This includes a journal, Maurice Harker’s book, Like Dragons Did They Fight (pictured above), DVD, and the tuition price of 20+ hours of phone mentoring. You pay $177 to Tree of Life Mothering and $50 to Life Changing Services to order the journal, book and DVD. We will meet once a week for two hours and 15 minutes, in a phone conference call that is held simultaneously with a Zoom class/chatroom, at the times above, for ten weeks. You can join by phone or by computer. The classes are recorded so you can catch them later if needed.
If you register by Saturday October 8 midnight you get the early bird discount price of $127 for the tuition, and then you still also pay an additional $50 for the materials as I mentioned in the previous paragraph (journal, book, and DVD, and link to other digital recordings by Maurice)
Register by going to paypal.com and paying $177 (or $127 if done by midnight Saturday October 8, 2016) to info (at) treeoflifemothering (dot) com. (Put the @ and the . in the right places.) If registration happens after the regular price deadline of Sat. October 15, the price goes up to $197.
Payment installments are available! Send me an email to info at treeoflifemothering dot com or call 801-628-8753 for payment or registration questions.
When you are registered, I will then send you the phone number for the call, the link for the online classroom, and information on ordering the journal and DVD.
The course is written by homeschooling mom Aneladee Milne, and Maurice Harker, a licensed therapist, founder of Life Changing Services.Here is his description of the Like Dragons They Did Fight book:
This book bravely bridges the gap between the Spiritual and the Temporal (physical) factors of addiction and addiction recovery. It pulls the essential elements of many psychological theories and fits them into an eternal paradigm as can only be seen through the eyes of those who are inspired by God. The reader will be taken on a journey from seeing the battle from high in the heavens down to the gritty and sweaty clashing of swords a warrior must experience day to day. We live in a time when many are in bondage before they are aware that there is a war. As with many examples in world history, one cannot get out of bondage with just will power and thought control. Warriors must be trained, and then trained some more, in the classroom and on the field. They must learn, how to escape the bondage they find themselves in, as did warriors thousands of years before:
You can watch his video below, which gives a basic intro into his amazing insights into how satan works. His mission is to help LDS young men recover from porn addictions especially before their LDS missions or if they are sent home from a mission. For help for your son and porn addictions, go here. There is help and hope! These principles that Maurice draws from the Book of Mormon apply not just to porn and masturbation addictions, but to all self-betrayal and addictive tendencies. If your son attends the porn addiction class, either online anywhere over the globe, or in person in Farmington, Utah, it would be great for you to do this class for mothers so you are learning the principles alongside
your son.
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I love that Maurice teaches that the root word “psyche” does not mean “brain” but “spirit.” He says modern-day psychologists are like blindfolded dart throwers. In order to have lasting change to come off as victor over satan it’s important to understand both the brain and the spirit.That’s what this course is all about, how to connect you in your frontal lobe with God so you can fight satan back. Let the conquering begin!
It’s Memorial Day, the official start of summer! I love the above video tutorial from one of my favorite blogs, mommypotamus.com. It’s about how to make your own “bug bite balm” in case you forget the bug repellent and the bugs start biting.
Using lavender essential would make it especially soothing. I like the idea of a solid stick, it helps keep the oil in place on the bite so it can ease the itch.
Here’s the quote Elder Christofferson used from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian imprisoned by Nazis who wrote a letter to his niece that was smuggled out by guards:
“Marriage is more than your love for each other. … In your love you see only your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a link in the chain of the generations, which God causes to come and to pass away to his glory, and calls into his kingdom. In your love you see only the heaven of your own happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of responsibility towards the world and mankind. Your love is your own private possession, but marriage is more than something personal—it is a status, an office. Just as it is the crown, and not merely the will to rule, that makes the king, so it is marriage, and not merely your love for each other, that joins you together in the sight of God and man. … So love comes from you, but marriage from above, from God.”
Here are some wise words from Elder Christofferson himself.
A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive—the setting for the birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and eternal life in the world to come. A critical mass of families built on such marriages is vital for societies to survive and flourish. That is why communities and nations generally have encouraged and protected marriage and the family as privileged institutions. It has never been just about the love and happiness of adults.
So here’s to marriage! I thought it would be fun to put the wedding videos of the Duggars, since I love them so much and they are great examples of happy marriages!
Interesting little side note: The family pictured above is my sister’s husband’s brother and his cute little family.
Here are more pictures from the Shakespeare play performed by the Shakespeare Conquest class of our commonwealth school. My 13 year old was Biron in Love’s Labour’s Lost. We were going to do it outside on all three nights but got rained out! The outdoor venue was the same place it was held 9 years ago, when my 21 year old son participated in his first Shakespeare play at 12 years old. I used my “new” camera (new to me, passed down to me from my son). I still am figuring it out so excuse the yellowish tints.
I loved seeing the elegant costumes! I also loved not being on the costume committee this year. Kudos to Miss Tonja E. who was in charge of costumes this time! She seems to share her sister Aneladee’s master sewing touch!
I recently read most of this book (“most” because I was reading The Brainy Bunch at the same time and juggling all of my other responsibilities, and the book was so overdue that I almost felt guilty showing my face in the library while holding the book hostage, so I finally gave it up even though I hadn’t finished it). So now I am sharing what I learned from the Duggar girls in this book. I love the Duggars! I just think it’s so cool that they live their lives according to scripture. I don’t agree with all of their interpretations (for example, they don’t dance, but what about the scripture that says, “Praise his name with dancing”?) but I love them anyway. They are devout Christians and have led many people to God. Go Duggars! I also love that they are so willing to have as many children as God will give them. That takes bravery people!
Here is what I learned from the book:
the Bible says that drinking alcohol is bad. See Proverbs 20:1, and Proverbs 23:29-35. (as a Mormon girl, I was just familiar with the Doctrine and Covenants coming down on it)
the Bible says that showing the naked thigh is bad so that’s why the Duggar family doesn’t wear shorts or swimsuits that show the thigh
Michelle is a recovered bulimic. She has learned from the eating disorder and has shared her struggles with her daughters to help them feel like they can talk to her about anything.
The Duggar girls say as they have gotten older they tend to put on weight and have to watch what they eat.
The girls say that they like to dress modestly by sometimes using tank tops under their tops to create higher necklines. See the video below for tips on their “modern modest” style. I have to disagree with Jinger, I like tie-dye T-shirts! I guess that’s because I am partly a child of the 70s. I agree with Michelle on avoiding heels everyday. I do wear them occasionally but not everyday.
The girls suggest the web sites beautifullymodest.com and totallymodest.com for modest formal clothing (hey, those companies are both in Utah, probably owned by Latter-day Saints!) and wholesomewear.com as a source for swimwear. (Personally, I think the modest swimwear offered by swimmodest.com is much more stylish. Maybe the Duggars will eventually learn about it). The video above gives some of their fashion and shopping tips.
The girls divide the book into categories of relationships. Each chapter is about relationships with first yourself and God, then your parents, your siblings, friends, guys, your country, and then your world.
The girls say that they know they can talk with their parents whenever they need to. Their parents have a 24/7 open heart, open door policy to listen to their kids when they need to talk. Of course, they said sometimes their dad has to fight his eyelids closing if it’s after midnight. Reading about this was a good reminder to me to let my kids know that I have the same policy, although I am much more likely to stay awake like Jim Bob if it’s before 11 PM.
p. 36 of the book has a great list of questions that parents can use in talking with their kids for mentor meetings
“If the Lord shows you something from scripture, then you have a responsibility to respond to that guidance.” It’s as simple as that, isn’t it? Thank you Duggar girls, for being so plain and bold.
The Duggar parents have taught their children to obey, with four qualities. If the obedience doesn’t have these four qualities, it isn’t true obedience. These are are the four qualities: instant, cheerful, thorough, and unconditional. I am going to work on these with my kids!
The parents have also taught the children that they can make a “wise appeal.” This is similar to what Nicholeen Peck from teachingselfgovernment.com calls “disagreeing appropriately.”
Good scriptures to repeat during fearful times are: Psalms 56:3, Hebrews 13:5, Psalms 23, Ephesians 6:10-20, and Romans 6.
Have a prayer target. This means that you have someone in mind that you will pray for when you feel temptation come upon you.
Jim Bob Duggar’s favorite scripture is Romans 8:28
Michelle Duggar’s dad grew up in an orphanage but despite his challenging start in life he got married, had a family, and provided for them
I attribute the whole story of the Duggar family’s success to one woman: Jim Bob’s mom. In the book the Duggar girls share how amazing Grandma Duggar is. She became a Christian as a teen and started going to church. No one else in her family went to church. Her brother made fun of her. But she persisted and kept going. Eventually both her siblings became Christians. She got married and had Jim Bob, who was raised Christian. Jim Bob was prepared for his great Christian life by his mom. He attracted Michelle in part because of his Christian upbringing.
The Duggar girls say the best way to be a friend is to point others to Jesus.
p. 123 of the book has a great list of questions to quiz young men or to evaluate young men to see if they are worth considering as potential suitors
I am sorry for the lull in blogging. I think I am recovered from the Youth Conference I put on, Mother’s Day festivities, and supporting Shakespeare plays of the past two weeks. We got to take the kids and some of their friends to the U. of U. vs. BYU baseball game last week for free as part of a Little League event sponsored by the city. Two of my kids are playing ball this spring so that’s another thing that has been taking up my time.
Anyway, it was a great game! The Cougars won, 16 to 6. Best of all, I had a change in attitude as I worked out a deal with my mother-in-law. I knew I needed someone to watch the littles during the day while I went for an appointment with my hairdresser, since all of my big kids would be gone that day. Darn those college and Shakespeare play rehearsal commitments! All four potential babysitters were out of the picture. I was hesitant in asking her since I knew the last time she tended them, she fell asleep. Finally I realized, hey, instead of getting mad, (after all, I do sometimes take naps when I am “babysitting”) just know that it is going to happen again if she watches them. Plan for it! Tell her you will get some DVDs. They can watch all they want. Get a comfy blanket for her on the couch. Tell her and the kids that they are to wake her up if something’s on fire or blood is spilling. Problem solved! This was a definite “keepin’ it real” moment for me. I felt so much better when I came home and sure enough, she was asleep.
My son is Biron in Love’s Labour’s Lost for Liber Academy, our commonwealth school! The performances are this weekend and on Monday. This is the reason he has been growing his hair out! If you are on the Wasatch Front, come support some entertainment that is generated by some earnest youth. All proceeds go to their trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City this summer.
Saturday May 16, 2 PM matinee
Saturday May 16, 6 PM
Monday May 18 6 PM
3707 S. 800 W. Bountiful UT
Donations appreciated and gladly accepted
These are barren tasks, too hard to keep, Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep
I would forget her, but a fever she Reigns in my blood, and will remembered be.
From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive: They sparkle still the right Promethean fire; They are the books, the arts, the academes, That show, contain, and nourish all the world.
What do you do when your cousins are moving to Maine? Have a sleepover with them on a school night!
My baby sister is moving to Maine! We are all sooooo sad about it! No more visits to their house, about 45 minutes away, to play with cousins that are same or similar ages, which is almost as exciting as Disneyland. I can’t use a visit to these cousins as a reward or bribe any more with my kids. My 4 youngest kids match up either exactly the same year or the next year in age with her 4 oldest. They love to play together! Even when she just had a toddler and a baby, we would go over there and she would do the funnest things with my big kids, like have an art lesson with my daughter or do tie-dye shirts with all the kids. We are so sad! Boo-hoo! Of all the places to move to, they are moving the furthest away that they possibly could and still be in the contiguous U.S! Sigh.
My sister is a good sport and let my kids have a sleepover on a school night as one last hurrah before the big move. So here are some pictures from that.
Grandpa and Grandma brought pizza over and we had a party!
This is my little guy with his cousins, Miss Q and Miss B.
Here’s my son, formerly known as Cowboy (he doesn’t want to be called that anymore as he is out of his cowboy phase) with his cousin, Miss H. who is the same age. They remind me of Flossie and Freddie Bobbsey, and of my older daughter and her boy cousin, who were also towheads and the same age. If you don’t know who Flossie and Freddie Bobbsey are, you must be younger than 40. Just Google it.
Miss Q is the cutest, happiest little girl. I don’t think I have ever seen her in a bad mood.
As I drove away last week from their house after picking the kids up, I felt so melancholy. That was my last time of driving away from their house. No more trips to see my sis and get inspired by her artsy, homemaking ways. She is an illustrator, an “ar- TEEST” (emphasis on the last syllable) so I always come away visually fed after seeing the way she decorates her home. For example, check out her masterpieces below. She painted little figures, one for each person in her cute little family, out of pebbles.
She makes work of art out of rocks for her fridge magnets! That’s just one teensy example of how amazingly talented she is. Having six little kids 12 and under hasn’t left her much time for anything else, but in the past month she has managed to paint some walls in her home to spruce it up a bit. It was fun to see the new things she has done to decorate and stage the home for selling.
She added this butcher block in her tiny kitchen to add more counter space.
I love her scissors storage idea! Hang them on hooks right over the kitchen sink, and you will always know where they are!
This is her front yard. It definitely shows the touch or an artist living there, with the evenly spaced alternating bushes and the lovely, non-chain link fence.
Not only have I always left her home visually well-fed, but socially and spiritually as well, since we are sisters and have similar passions and goals. We share a love for books, babies, food, family, and the gospel. I am going to miss them so much! Thank goodness for skype and Facebook and phones. Farewell to you and your darling Utah home, my dear sister, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews. We look forward to seeing you some morning in Maine!
The above video is about how to get your baby to open wide, which is the #1 step to get breastfeeding started.
Here are some new breastfeeding videos from my favorite breastfeeding blogger, Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC. Please share these with anyone you know who is interested in breastfeeding. I am currently not breastfeeding, but I have fond memories of it, having enjoyed it for 16+ years over the span of my 7 babies. I know it laid a foundation for a healthy family life.
This next video shows what to do if your baby is struggling at the breast.
Then here’s one about what to do if you are experiencing nipple pain.
What is “Natural Breastfeeding”? Watch the video below to see:
Tree of Life Mothering 