The Pearl Necklace

The Pearl Necklace Story

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.
On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my babydoll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.
What are you hanging on to?
--- Author Unknown Read More

Daily Treasures Review

What do you think about when you see or hear the word "treasure"?  If you look at the definition of the word treasure it is something that you accumulate and store up.  It is also something that is hoarded.  Do you realize that you have that treasure?  Well you do!

Lorrie said four things in her audio "Daily Treasures" that definitely struck a chord in regards to our treasures.

1. Sometimes we have a treasure but we don’t recognize it as treasure.

2. Sometimes we have a treasure, forget about the treasure and then it’s lost treasure.

3. A lot of times there is something keeping us from enjoying our treasure, typically ourselves.

4. A lot of times we hate or resent our treasure, instead of treasuring our treasure.

So what is our treasure?  It is our children.  It doesn't matter if you have 1, 4, 7, or 20.  They are our treasures.  They were given to us by our Heavenly Father.  

Now I know it's not easy being a mom.  I currently have 3 children, soon to be 4.  And believe me, there are days that I just want to go in my room and cry.  It's not easy being a mom.  But something else that Lorrie said really hit me.  My feelings toward my treasures (children) is totally dependent on ME.  I set the attitude in my home.   However, I don't think I realized that till recently.

Our children are changing every minute of the day.  Each child also changes at a different rate than the other.  One might grow bigger sooner, one may talk later than the others, while one may crawl at 4 months it takes another 9 months to crawl.  I have seen it in each of my 3 boys and I am sure I will see it with our daughter.

Do we take the time to cherish our children?  Each little thing is unique.  From what they say to what they do.  Lorrie offers some great suggestions on how to savor and keep each of these little moments.  I really appreciated her suggestions and plan on implementing some of them into our family.  From pictures, doing hand-prints, to journaling the funny and cute things they say.  Those are just a few of the suggestions.  

Then Lorrie really got my attention.  She told the story of the little girl and her pearls.  Now if you haven't heard this story, I highly recommend it.  It took me back to a time when my mom would tell me the story as a little girl.  This is the part where I started to tear up.  It made me realize that I had been holding onto things that weren't really my treasures.  It really makes you think about what is most important in life.

I think that we place so much value on material things that we forget that those won't be with us always.  It's the relationships we build with our children.  The little things they do, whether it's the attempt at making breakfast or the painting that wound up all over the table, walls and floor, or when they come up, give you the biggest hug in the world and say "I love you mom".  It is all worth it.    

Thank you Lorrie for your gentle but yet important reminders of what we should really value.

Daily Treasures is available on CD and in MP3 format at the Eternal Encouragement store.  (MP3 $6.97 - CD $9.97)  It is about an hour long and I highly recommend it to any mom!

** I was given this product in exchange for my honest review of the product and was not compensated in any other way.

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Gabby Mom's Review - Serenity for your Soul

Do you ever find yourself excited or looking forward to receiving packages?  How about e-mails?  Waiting for a response or something that you know is going to make your day.  Well there are a few e-mails that I actually look forward to getting.  The e-mails from Lorrie Flem that I get each Thursday are definitely something I enjoy reading.  Each e-mail offers me something different.  Most of all I am thankful for the encouraging words she offers. 

Every Thursday I scan my e-mails looking for the e-mail from Lorrie.  The past month I have been reading each Serenity for Your Soul newsletter in order to give you a my thoughts.  Well with a new year starting and resolutions I was ready to start fresh.

So what do you need to start a new year, encouragement, wisdom & guidance.  Lorrie's e-mail "Serenity for your Soul" has been a great encouragement to me as this year begins. 

There is so much going on in our lives that I am needing a bit more encouragement.  As a busy mom of 3 boys, we are often going in more than one direction.  On top of that we are expecting our 4th baby.  A GIRL!  **insert happy dance here**  This pregnancy has left me feeling drained of energy and also frazzled.  I struggle to keep things going and keep my brain on straight. 

Lorrie had some great words of wisdom in one of the recent e-mails I received really helped me.  I have always tried to do everything.  I am a perfectionist but fall far from being able to keep things up (at least to what I want them to be).  I always feel like I have failed because I can't do it all. 

Do you notice how many times "I" was used?  5.  Now notice what was missing.  God.  There was part of the newsletter where Lorrie mentions how when she was newly married she expected herself to be Suzy Homemaker.  How many of us have tried to achieve that perfection.  Lorrie also confesses how she was more like Horrible Homemaker or Psycho Suzy.  I can definitely relate to how she felt.  I still feel that way some days.  But what I had failed to remember is that well known verse in Philippians 4:13.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  It isn't my strength that gets me through the day but that of the Lord.  I can't do everything by myself.  It's ok to not be able to do it all.  Seeing the gentle reminder really helped me.

If you feel that you need some "Serenity for Your Soul" hop on over to the Eternal Encouragement website and sign up for these newsletters.  They are well worth the read.  (plus she often includes some really good recipes at the bottom of each e-mail)  ;)  May you have a great day! Read More

The Gabby Mom's Year in Review

So it's the end of 2011.  WOW!  That year went really fast.  At first though it started out very slow.  We had some snow here in SW Pennsylvania at the beginning of the year, then came the chaos of birthday season, our first actual testing season for homeschooling, a trip to Virginia Beach for a graduation, our 10-year Anniversary, and now the pregnancy of our 4th child.

Along with all of that I got the privilege to be a part of a wonderful review team.  The Gabby Moms!  We reviewed several products from Eternal Encouragement.  I can't even begin to say how much reading or watching each item blessed me.

Lorrie has such a way of getting to the heart of the matter.  She cares deeply about every woman who reads/watches her products.  She also makes sure that she keeps focus on what is important.  The relationship with our Heavenly Father.  That is definitely key to everything.  Yes, there are other things that go along with each situation you may be facing, the main thing is to rely on our Heavenly Father.

It has been a great year of product reviews with the Gabby Mom's.  Each one has meant so much to me.  I have truly been inspired by each product I have reviewed.  I have also been challenged to tackle many things I struggle with personally.  Each new product offered me something different.  It felt like I had a second mother with me, encouraging me through my struggles.  Lorrie does so well at putting you at ease, but also making you think.  She is kind but firm.  I am grateful to

I am also looking forward to this year with the Gabby Mom's.  I know Lorrie has some awesome products for us to review and I can't wait to share them with you.

I would like to thank Lorrie and Cindy for allowing me to be a part of such a great team.  If this sounds like something that would interest you for the 2012 year head over to the Gabby Mom's website to Get Involved!  Read More

Yelling - The Cause, The Casualty & The Cure - A Gabby Mom's Review

Have you ever felt like this?  Screaming or yelling at the top of your lungs because nothing seems to be going right?  The baby just dumped his food all over the floor and now the dog is eating it?  Your 4 year old is coloring on the piano keys?  And your oldest, well he decided it was time to build something with the legos and you just know you are going to find them in the middle of the night with your bare feet.

Ah, the joys of motherhood!  But do the screaming and yelling make you feel any better?  NO!  (there I yelled online)  Actually, I don't know about you, but I feel a million times worse than when I don't yell.  But no matter how much I try, I can't seem to curb the yelling.  

So, when the Gabby Mom's review team was given this assignment, I practically jumped out of my seat!  I do not like yelling.  I do not like it Sam I am, I do not like yelling.  It gives me a headache plus I know my kids have picked up on it and they yell back at me or each other.

I knew something had to give.  I always felt like I spent more time screaming than talking to my kids and enjoying my time with them. 

Lorrie has always had such a way of reaching me and I know other moms.  She is gentle in her approach and cares about the ladies she is reaching out to like you and me.  I know that after reading other books, magazine articles, I often feel worse and no where near like I am going to be able to fix what needs fixing.  But after reading several of Lorrie's books & magazines I feel uplifted and have a plan of action to take.

Reading "Yelling - The Cause, The Casualty & The Cure", left me feeling equipped to face the battle ahead.  It's not just for my sake, but for that of my children and husband.  Lorrie offers 11 steps and she always to make sure that we never forget the most important thing.  God.  The relationship with our Heavenly Father always takes first place.  The relationship is never on the backburner.  I am so grateful that Lorrie always puts Him in the right place for us.

If you feel that you just can't keep control of the yelling, screaming or whatever term you prefer to call it, I highly recommend reading this book.  Lorrie offers simple suggestions that will definitely make a change.  I know that I am looking forward to less yelling and screaming in our household.

Go here to purchase "Yelling - The Cause, The Casualty & The Cure"

Eternal Encouragement

The Eternal Encouragement Store

Disclaimer: I received Yelling - The Cause, The Casualty & The Cure as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement Magazine. I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.

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Welcome Home Daddy - A Gabby Mom Review

"Hi Honey!  I'm home!" says dad as he enters the house.  Oh the picturesque scene of me, 3 boys and the dog all waiting to greet him as he walks through the door.  Dinner is on the table, the house is spotless and the home is his sanctuary. 

WAIT!!!  Wake up call!  Talk about dreaming.  This is more Leave it to Beaver or Donna Reed style than the way it goes at our house.  I typically am scrambling to get dinner done, the toys and other things on the floor picked up.  The dog is barking as he wants his dinner, one of the kids is crying and the baby is shaking the gate at the top of the steps since he heard daddy open the garage door. 

But wouldn't you like to have your household come pretty close to the first description?  I know I would! 

When "Welcome Home Daddy" by Lorrie Flemm arrived at my house, I was so excited to be able to review it!  Our welcome home party resembles something more of mass chaos than the organized (mostly) dream I want to have awaiting my husband when he arrives. 

Lorrie is so helpful and full of insight on how we can do our best to achieve these dreams/goals.  It will take work on our part, but in the end it will be so worth it!  I know I can't wait to see the look on my husband's face when I am actually able to pull this off.  Granted, I know it won't be "perfect", but it will be perfect for our family.  Each one of you will have a different "perfect" for you.

Here are some things that struck me while reading this wonderful book.

~ Time does not equal money.  It is MUCH more valuable! 
~ Our attitude determines the attitude of the home.
~ Enjoy the meal together and Enjoy time with each other!
~ Family devotion time is important and should be lead by your husband.

There are many more nuggets in this book! 

I truly believe it is possible to be a modern mom and have the traditional value of our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers.  With reading this book and the idea's involved I know it is possible.  I can't wait to surprise my husband with this!

If you would like to purchase this item head on over to the Eternal Encouragement Shop.
To read more reviews on Welcome Home Daddy, jump over to The Gabby Moms page.

We are also looking for more "Gabby Mom's" to join our team.  If reviewing products like this and so much more sounds like something you would like to do, click here.

Disclaimer: I received Welcome Home Daddy as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement Magazine. I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own. Read More

Energized & Fulfilled Video Review - The Gabby Moms & Eternal Encouragement

Life as a mom is perfect right?  I mean we all have energy, we don't scream or get frustrated and we have all the time in the world to get everything done.  But that was what we saw on TV in the life of June Cleaver.  Let's face it, we live in the real world and whether you are a mother of 1 or 8 or more children we all feel overwhelmed, tired, frustrated and sometimes just plain ole cranky!  But is that the way we want to feel?  I know I don't want to feel that way but often I do. 

Well, if you want some help then Lorrie's new DVD is available and is perfect for this!  From Exhausted, Irritable and Overwhelmed to... An Energized and Fulfilled Woman of God is the title of her new DVD.  I received this and the corresponding study guide for review in September.  I can honestly say that I am so glad that it came this month.  I have been feeling the entire first part of the title and not the second half.  We have had a lot of things happening and a lot of changes coming which have all left me feeling overwhelmed.  That on top of all of our normal activities make for a tired, irritable momma.

So, when I got this I put it on right away!  But then life happened and I got delayed.  So I got to try it a couple of times.  It's actually good to be able to listen to this several times.  Gives you new insight to the things Lorrie talks about.  I love how she has this new acronym!  REAL REST!  That's what we as mom's need, right?  Lorrie offers some great tips with the REAL REST acronym.  Some are so simple that we often wonder why we haven't done them before and others really make you think. 

So often we lose sight of what should really be first in our life and Lorrie helps remind you in such a gentle way.  She always makes sure we keep God first.  I can truly say that is the most important thing to do.  She offers such great tips to help make sure we are able to do that.  Not only in the Energized & Fulfilled DVD, but many others too.

I have been so blessed to have Lorrie's help as i go through my journey of being a wife & mother.  She is SO very encouraging.  You can tell she truly cares about you.

If being Energized & Fulfilled is something you desire, then head over to the Eternal Encouragement store to purchase the DVD of Energized and Fulfilled Woman of God.  Not only do you get the DVD but you get the study guide and Bible verses and Mom's Spectacular Relaxation Recipes(something we didn't get as part of our review but bet you will love!).  The purchase price is $19.97! That is a great deal.

Disclaimer: I received Energized & Fulfilled as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement Magazine. I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.
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