Month: April 2025

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Modern Homemaking in a World of Rising Prices

How I Feed My Family, Practice Hospitality, and Stay Within Budget—One Intentional Choice at a Time

Last week, I stood in the grocery store aisle, holding a pack of butter that had jumped a full dollar since the week before. I wasn’t just shocked—I was livid. Not because I can’t live without butter, but because price hikes like that feel like a direct attack on what I do every day: stay home, raise children, manage our household, and feed people well.

When I shop for groceries, my first thought isn’t “What do we need?”—it’s “Can we get by without this?” Grocery shopping used to be about planning meals and stocking up. Now it’s about trimming the fat, stretching every dollar, and constantly adjusting.

We do not have the ability to increase our grocery budget to accommodate rising prices. So now, we have to figure out how to continue living within our budget—even as groceries cost more and more each month.

Over time, I’ve developed what I call Modern Shopping Techniques—a blend of frugality, wisdom, and stewardship. These aren’t just strategies for saving money—they’re choices that reflect our values, priorities, and rhythms.

🛒 Modern Shopping Techniques

1. Pay Attention to Prices

I track prices mentally (and sometimes on paper) so I know when something is truly a deal. If it spikes, I wait or skip it.

2. Don’t Sacrifice Health for Cheap

Most processed foods are not only less healthy—they’re more expensive than real food.

  • For example, I can buy a box of instant oatmeal packets for about 20¢ an ounce, or I can buy plain oats for 5¢ an ounce and mix in my own sugar and cinnamon for a penny or two more—without all the additives I don’t want in my body.

  • Nutritious food can still be affordable, especially when bought in its simplest form.

3. Shop Around—Use Free Pick-Up

I rotate between Aldi, Walmart, and local markets. No single store has the best price on everything.

  • I never pay for pickup or delivery. That fee could be the cost of a pound of butter or two gallons of milk.

  • Many stores offer free grocery pickup, and using those services helps me stick to my list and budget.

  • Ordering online lets me total every purchase to the penny and avoid impulse buys. I especially love using Sam’s and Walmart online for this.

4. Buy in Bulk

I buy in bulk from Sam’s Club, Vitacost, and Azure Standard. When I visit family, I stop by a Mennonite grocery and stock up on flour, coconut oil, and oats by the case.

  • Bulk buying is much cheaper than purchasing packages individually.

  • Even for small families, dry goods last a long time in a cool pantry or freezer.

Items I regularly buy in bulk:

  • Prairie Gold 86 white whole wheat flour (or wheat berries to grind)

  • Jasmine and brown rice

  • Whole oats (I process them if I need them “instant”)

  • Coconut oil

  • Local raw honey

  • Canned organic peaches (Vitacost)

  • Canned wild salmon (Azure)

5. Use Meat Strategically—Stick to Poultry

I don’t buy red meat unless it’s a rare treat. Ground turkey is our staple: it’s lean, versatile, and just $3 a pound.

  • Pork is sometimes more affordable—when pork butt drops to 99¢/lb, I buy several.

  • Rotisserie chickens from Sam’s or Costco often cost less than raw birds.

  • I stock up on turkeys around Thanksgiving when they’re under 50¢/lb and freeze them for months of meals.

6. Don’t Bake Desserts

Dessert baking is expensive—eggs, butter, chocolate, and vanilla add up quickly.

  • We reserve baked goods for guests or special occasions.

  • Less sugar and fewer impulse bakes mean healthier habits and a lower grocery bill.

7. Do Bake Bread

I do bake bread—and it saves us a lot.

  • A good loaf costs $3–$5, and the cheap ones are full of sugar and additives.

  • I make whole wheat bread with just flour, water, yeast, salt, honey, and oil—simple, hearty, and affordable.

8. Serve Simple Sides

Not every meal needs a casserole.

  • I often serve applesauce or canned peaches alongside dinner.

  • A can of green beans, frozen corn, or raw carrots works just fine.

  • A handful of spinach or sliced cucumber makes an easy, fresh addition to a plate.

9. Use Frozen Foods Purposefully

I don’t rely heavily on frozen food, but I use it intentionally.

  • Frozen salmon lets us eat fish weekly at a lower cost.

  • Frozen ground turkey is a staple.

  • Frozen blueberries are cheaper than fresh and great in oatmeal or yogurt.

  • I keep a “something simple” freezer stash for emergencies—my husband or kids can heat it up when I’m sick or out.

10. Skip Prepared Meals Completely

I don’t buy frozen lasagna or boxed dinners—ever.

  • They’re expensive and rarely healthy.

  • A couple of times a year I might splurge on frozen meatballs, but usually, I make my own with ground turkey.

11.  Don’t Waste a Thing

  • If my kids don’t finish soup, I save it for the next night—just for our family.

  • If we eat half a casserole, I freeze the rest for another day.

  • Anything truly leftover goes to the chickens, which helps cut down on feed costs too.

12. Know When Foods Are in Season

Buying produce in season saves money and tastes better.

  • Strawberries in spring, watermelon in summer—never in December.

  • Bananas and pineapples are cheap year-round.

  • Apples are often lower in price from late summer through spring.
    Eating with the seasons just makes sense now.

13. Embrace the “Meal Rut”

We eat many of the same meals each month—and that’s not a bad thing.

  • Trying new recipes often means extra ingredients and added cost.

  • Familiar meals are faster, easier, and help me use what we already have.

14. Don’t Buy Snacks (at least, not most of them)

A $4 bag of chips adds nothing to my family’s health—and very little to their fullness.

  • Instead, I buy popcorn kernels and pop them on the stove—cheap and satisfying.

  • We get seaweed snacks from Sam’s (roasted in olive oil and MSG-free).

  • Fruit leather is a sweet, clean snack I feel good about offering.

I’m not totally against snacks:

  • Tortilla chips, pretzels, and graham crackers are more affordable than most.

  • Chips and salsa or guac are a great salty treat.

  • Dried dates and goji berries are sweet alternatives.

  • And yes, we enjoy ice cream from time to time—if it’s free of artificial additives and on BOGO sale!

16. Skip Buying Drinks

We don’t buy juice or soda unless we’re having company.

  • My children drink water or milk.

  • Sometimes we make homemade lemonade when lemons are on hand.

  • Frozen juice concentrates are cheaper than bottles, but still an occasional treat.

  • I love sparkling water, and it’s becoming easier and cheaper to find—I’ll choose it over any sweetened drink.

❤️ Final Thoughts

I don’t run a business—I run a home. But let’s not pretend that homemaking isn’t real work. I feel the weight of inflation every time I shop, and I carry the responsibility of feeding, caring, and giving from what we have.

And yet—by God’s grace—it’s still possible to nourish our families, practice hospitality, and live generously, even when the world seems determined to make that harder. Homemaking in this economy requires creativity, courage, and contentment.

Even if butter is up a dollar, I’ll keep choosing wisely, cooking intentionally, and trusting that the little things done in love are never wasted.

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When Suffering Speaks: A Reflection on Silence, Testimony, and the Cross

Oh, this is so hard. In our culture, not telling our hurts and pains to everyone is unheard of. Is it wrong to let people into our pain? Of course not. It is actually biblical to bear the burdens of other Christians. Many amazing books have been written by believers who endured beatings, persecution, health difficulties, and all kinds of loss for the sake of Christ.

Reading Tortured for Christ stirred something deeper in me—not just awe for those who suffered, but conviction about how we view and speak of our own pain today. I recently wrote a follow-up reflection about suffering, silence, and guarding the testimony of Christ in our age of self-expression. You can read it here: https://journeysofahomemaker.com/2024/02/20/the-book-and-testimony-of-richard-wumberland/

I’ve read many biographies and autobiographies of dear saints who suffered for Jesus. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is filled with stories of saints who far exceed me in courage, endurance, and devotion.

But no other book has so pierced my heart in the way Tortured for Christ has—especially as I examine the influence of a self-absorbed, comfort-seeking culture on my own soul. I felt very small reading it. My troubles and sufferings seemed petty and insignificant by comparison.

Hebrews 11:38 describes those who suffer and are martyred as those “of whom the world was not worthy.”

We live in the age of sharing… everything. Very little is considered private. It is now seen as honorable to uncover secrets. And in many ways, it is seen as healthy for victims to publicly speak out against those who offended them.

In fact, today it seems as if everyone is a victim of something. And every person hungers for others to feel the pain that he or she carries. The term abuse no longer describes only physical or verbal torment, but now anything that brings offense or emotional pain. And in that sense, all of us have been “abused,” because no one lives without being hurt or wounded by another.

Now, to be very clear, there are true cases of mistreatment and grievous harm. There are real wounds and legitimate sorrows. I do not dismiss those realities. But for those who follow Christ, we must be prudent—in both our perspective and our public outcries.

If we must speak up to defend ourselves or others, we must be ever so careful that our motives are pure—that we are seeking to honor Christ, not ourselves. We must take great care not to harm or humiliate those who have hurt us, especially if they are fellow believers. If the one who hurt us is a brother or sister in Christ, we are called to do everything in our power to seek reconciliation and live in peace (Romans 12:18). If that proves impossible, then we must guard the testimony of Christ and remain silent.

We are not to take a fellow believer to court (1 Corinthians 6), and we certainly do harm to the Church and to the name of Christ when we air our grievances before unbelievers in a spirit of bitterness or retaliation. First, it is not their business. Second, it is no one’s business but the parties involved and the Lord.

But this does not mean we must never speak of our suffering. There is a time and place for testimony—especially when it is shared humbly, for the edification of the Church and the glory of Christ.

Both Richard Wurmbrand and Corrie ten Boom shared their stories publicly. But they did not do so to avenge themselves or destroy the reputations of others. Rather, they spoke to encourage the Body of Christ, to bear witness to the faithfulness of God, and to strengthen the Church in times of comfort and complacency.

The difference lies in the heart posture and the purpose of the telling. We must always examine our motives: Am I seeking Christ’s glory, or my own vindication? Am I helping others see Jesus more clearly, or simply asking them to feel my pain?

There is a Christ-honoring way to share even painful things. But it must always be wrapped in grace, humility, and the cross. And always, it must show respect—even toward those who have wronged us.

I have learned much about God’s sovereignty over the years. And there is such joy and comfort in knowing that every person and every circumstance in my life was hand-curated—before I was even born—by my loving Creator-Father. If He has allowed pain to come to me through others, I must receive it as a gift from His hand, meant for His good purpose.

That perspective reshapes my heart. It quiets bitterness. It calms the cry for justice. It even gives me compassion for those who hurt me. Because through it all, I can say: “My Father gave this to me. And I will trust Him.”

As we examine our own hearts and consider the wrongs done to us, we do well to see those wrongs in light of the cross. If they are truly wrongs, then they are wrongs ultimately done to Christ. And many of them are meant to be borne in silence and grace. This is the opposite of our culture, which insists on public vindication and justice.

We must remember: when we proclaim injustices done to us, we may only damage the testimony of Christ in us. It may serve no purpose but to elevate our personal image, rather than the image of our Savior.

Like John the Baptist said, “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Oh, how our world cries for justice! We long to prevent those before or after us from suffering what we’ve suffered. But if any injustice is to be proclaimed in my life, let it be the injustice done to Him—as He bore my sin upon the cross.

Any pain we endure today pales in comparison to the tortures and losses our brothers and sisters have suffered through the ages. Richard Wurmbrand was an advocate for the suffering Church. In his book, he shares account after account of men and women who gave their all for Christ.

They were not fighting against communism—they were fighting for Christ. And because communism is diametrically opposed to the truth that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the communists sought to eliminate every believer. Christianity and communism cannot coexist.

Wurmbrand did at times detail his own suffering, and he did name a few of those who harmed him—as did Corrie ten Boom. But even as they recounted their pain, it was never to glorify themselves or shame their enemies—it was to glorify Christ.

If we must publicly speak of our pain, troubles, and those who have aided our brokenness, lest Let us, too, make it our aim to glorify Christ alone in both our suffering and our silence.

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Beyond the Price Tag: Ethical Choices in a Broken World

Every Purchase a Choice: A Christian Call to Justice in a World of Slave Labor

In 2012, I heard a story that haunted me: a clothing factory in Bangladesh caught fire, killing nearly seventy workers—many of them children. As a mother of little ones at the time, the news stopped me cold. How could this happen? How could children die so that others—like me—could wear cheap clothes?

That day, I began to ask hard questions. Questions I hadn’t asked before. Questions I think many of us still avoid.

We Are All Guilty

This isn’t about “those people” who don’t care. It’s about us. Me. You.

Whether we realize it or not, we have all supported unethical labor. Most of us have bought chocolate harvested by children, clothes sewn by underpaid women working 12-hour shifts, or phones assembled in factories tied to forced labor.

We may not have known—but that doesn’t make us innocent.

But here is the good news: while we are all guilty, we are also able, by God’s grace, to grow in awareness, compassion, and conviction. And we can strive to do better.

The Inconvenient Truth: Slave Labor Still Exists

Modern-day slavery is real. Over 40 million people around the world are trapped in forced labor, human trafficking, or child exploitation. And they’re making the things we buy every day:

  • Clothes from China, Bangladesh, and India

  • Electronics using cobalt mined by children in Congo

  • Chocolate from Ivory Coast

  • Shrimp and seafood from Thailand

  • Even coffee and tea from farms with documented abuse

And well-known companies have been linked to these abuses:

  • Shein, Nike, H&M, Zara (sweatshop conditions)

  • Apple, Samsung, Sony (tied to cobalt and Uyghur labor)

  • Nestlé, Hershey, Cargill (child labor in cocoa farms)

  • Amazon, Walmart, Costco (lack of supply chain oversight)

They may not do these things directly—but they profit from them indirectly.

What Does the Bible Say?

Scripture is clear: God hates oppression. He hears the cries of the exploited. And He commands His people to care about justice.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”
—Proverbs 31:8 (NLT)

“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness… who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages.”
—Jeremiah 22:13

“The wages you failed to pay the workers… are crying out against you.”
—James 5:4

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness… and to let the oppressed go free?”
—Isaiah 58:6

To be a Christian is to stand with the lowly, not to benefit from their suffering.

Image Bearers of God—Every One

God made all people in His image—not just Americans, not just those who live in comfort, not just those with privilege. A little girl sewing buttons in a hot factory in India has the same worth before God as your daughter or mine. A boy digging for cobalt in Congo is no less precious than a child sitting in Sunday School.

To disregard the suffering of others because they are far away, poor, or hidden behind a price tag is to deny the Imago Dei in them—and in ourselves.

What Can We Do?

Let’s be honest. This is complicated. We won’t always get it right. Sometimes we need to buy a refrigerator, a phone, or school shoes—and we can’t afford the most ethical option. That’s real life.

But here’s what we can do:

✅ 1. Learn & Ask Questions

Start reading labels. Use websites like Good On You or Ethical Consumer. Ask, “Who made this?”

🧥 2. Avoid Fast Fashion

Steer away from brands known for churning out cheap, disposable clothing through unethical labor. Let’s not support companies that exploit people for profit.

🛍 3. Buy Less, Buy Better

Try buying fewer things—and choosing better-quality, ethically made items when you can. You don’t have to fill your cart with “deals” when you can fill your heart with conviction.

♻️ 4. Buy Secondhand

Thrift stores, consignment shops, or online platforms like Poshmark and ThredUp allow us to buy without fueling unethical production—and they’re often easier on the budget.

💡 5. Support Ethical Brands

Look for businesses committed to fair trade and ethical sourcing. Your dollars are votes for the kind of world you want.

🗣 6. Talk About It

Teach your children. Share with friends. Bring awareness to your church. Normalize caring about where things come from.

🙏 7. Pray

Pray for the oppressed. Pray for those trapped in cycles of poverty. Pray for your own heart to love justice more than bargains.

Grace and Conviction

This is not about guilt. It’s about grace-fueled conviction. Jesus died to redeem a people who would love like He loves. That means being willing to sacrifice our comfort, convenience, and even our shopping habits for the good of others.

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
—Proverbs 14:31

Scripture also reminds us:

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
—James 4:17

God holds us responsible for what we know. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul teaches that a person who unknowingly eats food sacrificed to idols is not guilty—but once aware, the believer must act for the sake of others and for the testimony of Christ.

When we do become aware of injustice—of the real people suffering behind our bargains—we are no longer innocent. We are responsible.

We may not be able to change the world—but we can change our corner of it. One purchase, one prayer, one choice at a time. Let it be said of us that we cared—not just about saving money, but about saving dignity, truth, and lives.

 

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Stewarding a Son: Man in Training

Man in Training

I will begin by saying that Scripture paints a very different picture of a godly man than what we see in our world today. As my husband and I seek to raise children for God’s glory, we are prayerfully looking for ways to develop in them a heart that loves others. Raising a man who protects others comes to the forefront of my mind.

All humans naturally seek their own safety, comfort, and well-being. And although both men and women in Scripture are called to love others selflessly, men are held to an even greater standard of such love—especially in their care, where no self-sacrifice is too much.

As Husbands:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.”
— Ephesians 5:25–29

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
— 1 Peter 3:7

As Fathers:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
— Ephesians 6:4

As Men of the Church:

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”
— Titus 2:2

“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. (You, Titus) Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”
— Titus 2:6–8

We are privileged to have many of Paul’s epistles, which reveal how he mentored other men. An entire study could be built on Paul’s mentoring relationships with men like Timothy, Titus, John Mark, Luke, Silas, and Demas. From Paul’s letters, we can learn much about how a Christian man should lead his children, his family, other believers, and co-workers.

There are many qualities that make a good leader, but one key point is this: a man who is a good leader will seek the welfare of others.

A Knight in Training

I like to think of my son as a knight in training. In medieval times, a knight would follow a code of conduct. This list reflects the “Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry” recorded in The Song of Roland (a French epic poem from the 11th century):

  • Believe in God and follow His commandments

  • Defend the faith

  • Protect the weak and innocent

  • Show courage in the face of the enemy

  • Respect and honor women

  • Speak the truth

  • Be generous

  • Avoid pride and arrogance

  • Be faithful to your word

  • Die with honor if necessary

Though the knight’s code is ancient, it is no less applicable today. It upholds biblical attributes and provides a practical, holy testimony for the sake of Christ.

Even though my son is the youngest of his siblings, he is also the only boy. I purpose to keep him aware of his strength and how to use it for good and never for evil. I also work with him to be the man and do the hard things.

Being Practical: How We Train Our Son

  • Kill insects. He doesn’t like it, but my husband and I have taught him how to kill and dispose of unwanted insects in the house. My husband takes him along to help with things like killing snakes that raid our chicken coop, burying dead animals, or doing other big, ugly jobs. It makes a little boy feel grown-up and valuable to be part of man-sized responsibilities.

  • Carry things. Even though he is small, I often ask him to help carry a heavy bag or move something in the house. He’s a strong little boy, and he loves for his muscles to be appreciated—but more than that, it teaches him to use his strength for the good of others.

  • Open doors. Though it’s a fading code of chivalry, I’ve taught him to hold doors for others. He sees it as a privilege and an important task. It’s simply kindness—to women, the elderly, and those with full arms.

  • Be last. Often, the youngest is given preference, but because he is male, I’ve made it a privilege for him to let the girls go first—especially in food lines, but in other circumstances too. I started this when he was just old enough to understand he could wait “with the men.”

  • Be first. At times, a man must lead the way. I encourage him to step up when needed—like leading us through a crowd while holding my hand, or being the first to take initiative.

  • Stick with others. Little boys often want to run ahead. This has happened a few times over the years, but each time I remind him: “You can’t take care of Mommy or your sisters if you’re too far away.” That simple reminder straightens his shoulders and lifts his chin. He loves knowing he’s needed—and rarely strays again.

  • Help people. This comes naturally in our home, but I intentionally highlight it. If someone drops something, we pick it up. If someone falls, we ask if they’re okay and offer a hand. These are small but powerful habits of kindness and protection.

  • Stop. A key value in our home is that boys do not wrestle or play rough with girls. Beyond that, if someone says “stop,” whatever was happening stops immediately. Many young men have found themselves in deep trouble for not stopping when they were first asked. Teaching my son to stop—especially when a girl says so—is crucial for her safety and his own.

  • Take Daddy’s place when Daddy is gone. When my husband travels, I allow my son to fill in small but meaningful ways—sitting on the aisle next to me at church, helping me lock the doors at night. He rises to the occasion with more seriousness and maturity when he is given “man responsibilities.”

  • Spend time with Daddy. Little boys deeply need time with their daddies. When my son has been with his daddy, his demeanor changes—he’s more mature, more serious, and less babyish. Whether it’s a trip to the hardware store, a car wash, or grocery shopping, that time with Daddy is formative.