such a time as this

Gathering-Flowers  Hendrik Heyligers (1877 – 1967, Dutch)

The following is not to toot my own horn. I write because I want to show empty-nest women the possibilities. Just because our children are grown does not mean we need to leave the home to seek employment. What we struggled mightily to learn during those years can help our younger sisters. Empty-nest woman have vital missions to fulfill with the younger women of the world.

When I saw the time drawing near, I knew did not want to be a weepy, wet blanket. Since I worked so hard to become efficient in my chosen career of homemaker/educator, I knew I would have a lot of time on my hands when the last bird flew. Inspired after taking the matter to the Lord, I began blogging and writing books under an assumed name to help me fulfill the commands of Titus 2, namely teaching younger women to love their husbands, their children, be modest, and to be keepers at home.

Now I don't think I have all the answers, but I do think my ministry is important in its small way. Women from around the globe write to me about my books and posts. From this correspondence, mentoring relationships sometimes develop.

One woman I mentored who loves her children and her husband had a temper and indulged in childish, spirit-squelching yelling and anger. Also admitting freely that she was a disastrous keeper of her home, she asked for help achieving her dream of a serene, clean home where the Spirit could and would dwell. If she could get he home together and stop her adult temper tantrums, she also wanted to home educate her three daughters. We emailed back and forth, she with questions--me with suggestions. Reading scriptures and articles I sent, she little by little built a new environment, where her tiny daughters could thrive. A place of order, sweetness, and fun, her home enticed her husband to spend more time at home, too. She began simple activities: sandpaper letters and phonics lessons, singing Primary songs, learning scripture stories, memorizing simple poetry and scripture, reading picture books, taking nature walks, drawing, painting, peeling carrots, and caring for the home environment with the children. They had fun together building a rich family culture.

The above is not isolated to just one woman. Other women asked for help with their homemaking, homeschooling, and parenting issues. Youth were mentored in academics and  accountability. While I am not the world's best parent or teacher, I have learned a lot through trial and error. This I freely passed on, and a new generation of mothers are feeling success without having to go through the school of hard knocks I attended.

Developing a homeschooling website with a free, LDS-friendly curriculum, I helped many more women too shy or reserved to write. Now it is growing into an online private school.

During the times of the American Revolution, God directed the lives of men and women to change the face of history. Later the descendants of this revolution were also called upon to be revolutionaries in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as Ester was called to save the Jews, just as Mary and Martha were called during Jesus time to minister, just as Betsy, Martha, and Abigail were called during the American Revolution, just as Eliza and Emma were called during the Restoration, women of today are called for such a time as this, the final days before the coming of Christ. That calling will take different forms for different women. For me, the calling is to be a Titus 2 woman and teach any young woman who will listen to love her husband, love her children, be modest, and be a keeper at home. What is your special calling?


Join in learning the history of LDS women and post your thoughts at the Society Sunday blog hop. This week's assignment was Ch. 1 of the Women of Mormondom.