Gabby Mom's Review for Eternal Encouragement

Once upon a time I had many magazine subscriptions.  I had so many that I didn't know what to do with them.  Some I would read, some I would not.  As a mom, most of these magazines lacked what I was truly looking for.  I was looking for something to help inspire me to be strong as a mom & wife,  & encourage me in my walk with Christ.  The magazines I had didn't fit the bill.  I stumbled upon a wonderful magazine by the name of TEACH about 2 years ago.  I have been blessed to be able to have that in my hands.

Now you may be thinking this is supposed to be a review about the magazine Eternal Encouragement.  I know.  And let me share a secret.  TEACH and Eternal Encouragement are one in the same.  :)

Lorrie Flem started TEACH approximately 13 years ago. She was looking for a magazine that would help her in her walk as a mom, wife and daughter of God.  Through lots of encouragement and praying she started TEACH.  She decided about a year ago to change the title and magazine format of TEACH to Eternal Encouragement. This is off of the Eternal Encouragement Facebook page. "TEACH is taking a new name that more accurately portrays what we are all about. We are a magazine about looking more like Jesus every day. We have a little on homemaking, mothering, being a wife, and ALL that we send you is rich with . . . encouragement!"

"Eternal Encouragement has four main goals. To help women: look more like Jesus every day, to happily undergird their husbands, to love nurturing and training His children, to embrace putting their first fruits into their own homes."

The content is just as wonderful and the new size (which fits in my purse or diaper bag) is perfect for me.  I take it everywhere!


I know how important it is to have something that is relevant to moms and our daily struggles.  It is not an easy job we have.  We have so many "hats" that we juggle.  Wife, teacher, nurse, chauffeur and so many more that we often find ourselves at the end of the day drained physically and emotionally.  To know that there are other moms out there who have been where we are and that we will make it through is such an encouragement.  The authors of each story in EE have a way of touching your heart.  Whether you had a rough day at work, with the kids or you feel that you will never keep up with the housework, the articles in this magazine will touch your heart and leave you feeling uplifted.

We were asked to review the Spring '11 issue of Eternal Encouragement.  What a blessing this magazine has been.  But before I go into the articles that help me, let me share my family. 

I am the proud mom of 3 wonderful boys.  I am privileged to get to stay home with them and also homeschool them.  Jonathan, the oldest, is the artsy, quiet, and for the most part obedient.  Think outwardly obedient, but inwardly defiant.  Jordan, the middle child, is, well, we think he is Evil Knievel.  He is the daredevil and is always into something.  He is also the one who tends to provoke fights.  He has a short temper which often leaves me frustrated at the things he does.  Josef, the baby, well, ok, he is 1 now but still my baby.  He is a little cutie pie and we are enjoying seeing bits of his personality come out.  He is definitely a momma's boy.  :)

When the spring issue of EE arrived at my house I was thrilled!  It was the first edition of the new name and size and so it has been with me everywhere for the past month.  I don't always get to sit and read it at one time.  So I will look through to see what is most critical at that moment.  Well let me say this issue came just in time!  The key articles I read (in no particular order) are as follows.

• Domestically Challenged Housewife - Our Version of Toy Story
• Temper to Tranquility
• There is No Time Like the Present
• Today

I am always grateful to know that I am not the only one who is going on this journey we call motherhood.  Knowing that I will make it through the day.  And ultimately knowing that God is in control.  We just have to give it to Him.

There is a song that I am reminded of often while reading Eternal Encouragement.  It pops into my head because all the moms have something in common.  They rely on God.  They know that without Him they could do nothing.  It is through Him that we make it through each day.  They ask Him for guidance, help and strength.  This song is a wonderful reflection of what we need to realize every day.  The song is Without Him.  Here is a link so you can listen to it.  The lyrics are below.

Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I'd surely fail
Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail

Without Him I would be dying
Without Him I'd be enslaved
Without Him life would be worthless
But with Jesus thank God I'm saved

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost I would be
Without Him how lost I would be

I am so thankful that I am able to receive this magazine.  It provides such encouragement to me.  I know it will do the same for you.

Click on Gabby Moms to find out more about us or read more reviews about Eternal Encouragement.
Here is the website to Eternal Encouragement.  www.eternalencouragement.com

I received this product for honest review from Eternal Encouragement Magazine as a part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own."

Expedition Israel - A Download N Go Review

Expedition Israel, a Download N Go unit study.  Some quick info about Download N Go (DNG).  DNG's are a week long unit study tied in with lapbooking.  Don't be nervous about the lapbooking part.  If you have never done one, that's ok!  They are a fun way to integrate some hands on into your schooling.  DNG's are wonderful.  They have all the research done for you.  Amanda Bennett takes care of all of that so you can spend more time learning with your child.  She also finds extra books to read to your child that are suggested each day.  These are not necessary but always give a lot of extra information.

So where to begin.  I was so thrilled to see we would be reviewing Expedition Israel.  It took me back to a time 12 years ago.  A time when I was 18 and our church was going on a trip overseas.  A trip to Israel.  This unit brought back so many memories for me.  The videos of the cities in Israel, the people, the animals, and the beautiful landscape.  We also learned about great Heroes of the Bible with this unit.  It is so amazing to think about these men of the Bible.  They become real for the kids.  And I got to enjoy watching my kids learn about them.

Each day brought back something different for me and I was so excited to share my stories with them.  From Jerusalem to Bethlehem, to the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee.  I relived my trip through this unit.  But more importantly I shared it with them by showing pictures, telling stories and giving them my thoughts as we watched the videos, read the websites and all the information that Amanda put into this unit. I am so thankful that she put this unit together.  It helped me be better able to share the stories of my trip.  Because she works so hard to find the best websites and videos it made it so much fun to share with my children.  In a sense, being able to share my trip experiences combined with this unit study made it feel so real to them. 

There are also some really cool things to do as part of the lapbook in this unit.  Jonathan's favorite was learning his name in Hebrew. 




My Hebrew Name:   Courtesy of My Hebrew Name  He thought that was "so cool."  He also like learning about the animals.  I was able to share with him my story of riding the camel. (which I highly recommend)  It is definitely a ride you won't forget.

I highly recommend this unit study.  Even if I hadn't been to Israel, this unit would make me want to go.  So you will definitely want to try and plan a trip.  My oldest son, Jonathan has already asked me when we are going to Israel.  I told him we will need to save in order to do it, but that we will plan a family trip to visit this country one day.

Here is what was covered each day.

Day 1: Where on Earth Is Israel?
Day 2: Some of the Special Places in Israel
Day 3: A Bit of History
Day 4: Cool Things to Know About Israel
Day 5: Fun and Games in Israel


Take a look at the inside of Expedition Israel.

Some pictures of our lapbook.

Our Lapbook



Jonathan with the lapbook



Some Pictures of my trip to Israel.

The Sea of Galilee


Me petting a Cat at the Church on the Sea of Galilee


If you would like to purchase Expedition Israel, go here.
To follow the Blog Tour, go here.

**I was given this item in exchange for my honest review**