*the following is adapted from the "Redirected Relationships" presentation given at the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat.
Satan has a lot of ways to deceive us from the
simple truths we have in Christ. Don’t let these misconceptions fool you the
way they fooled me.
Misconception #1
A courtship protects you from getting hurt.
While it would be nice if this were the case, it
is an unrealistic expectation. Courtship started becoming more popular with
Joshua Harris’ book, “I kissed dating goodbye”.
While his principles worked for some people there are a lot of bitter
ex-courtiers now who’d like to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The
principles of courtship are the best out there for conducting a relationship
between a man and a woman looking to get married. We just need to acknowledge
that we are still flawed human beings living in a flawed world and even
courtship can have its problems. Most gals I know who’ve experienced
“redirected relationships” have had a rough time getting over the relationship.
Even if you don’t give away your heart and you conduct yourself in the best
possible way you are putting yourself out there and being vulnerable to an
extent. It hurts when it doesn’t work out, even if things end cordially or by
your choosing. One week people are congratulating you on being in a
relationship and the next you’re having to explain that things didn’t work out. It is a very humbling thing to have a relationship that doesn’t
end in marriage.
Misconception #2
A courtship is supposed to end in marriage.
We’re correctly taught that each time you’re in a relationship you give away a
piece of your heart. Because of this I wanted my first relationship to be my
ONLY relationship. I am really happy for those people who marry the first
person they get to know, but I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better when your
first relationship isn’t the ONLY relationship. There was another young man who
was interested in me for quite some time and who was a good guy in every way.
My friends liked him, my parents thought he was great, but I just didn’t feel
like he was right for me. It can be hard to end this kind of friendship/relationship
when you feel like you have no good reason to, but you should NOT feel guilty
to end a courtship even if you don’t have a “valid reason”. You are the one who
will live with your decision, not your parents or anyone else!
Misconception #3
You can
be in a courtship and keep a clear head & heart without getting your feelings
involved.
It’s easy to believe that you’re thinking straight and that you can make
decisions on your own. I used to think that guarding your heart meant you don’t
entertain any feelings or thoughts for a guy. It is good and right to try to
guard your heart but it is impossible to put aside feelings that come
naturally. God created us to be emotional and physical beings and I’ve never
met anyone who was capable of removing all emotion from the courtship process. I
learned that instead of getting down on yourself for having feelings, it is
better to learn to acknowledge your feelings. Write them down or share them
with your parents. This can allow you to also focus on the more logical side of
a situation. In my second courtship I certainly had feelings for my future
husband…. But at the same time I maintained a stronger desire to be logical, to
do things right and know things might not go as I desired.
That being said when I was younger I hadn’t learned to be logical. I doomed
myself to some miserable years and bad decisions. It’s really important to not allow yourself to get
infatuated or to dwell on any certain guy inappropriately. Had I not already
placed myself in a vulnerable emotional state maybe I would have been more
objective and heeded the wise advice I received right away.
Misconception #4
If you’re not married
before you’re 20 you’re an old maid.
I definitely felt this need to get married young. You obey God, you honor your
parents, and you get married and raise babies. Conservative Christian and
homeschool culture made marrying young feel like the norm and to me it was the pinnacle
of success. As I’d watched so many friends find their soul mate and begin
their lives and I wanted that as well. Though the desire to be married was good and natural, it came from a place of
pride in my heart. God worked on my heart to teach me that there is
more to life. Looking
back I’m extremely thankful for my single years. They weren’t the curse I
thought they were. Take advantage of your single years! They are a
HUGE blessing. Use this time to study God’s word and learn as
much as you can. You may not have time like you do now when you become a wife and mother! There's a real lack of time and ability to study God’s word once you have kids. Think about every year you’re single as an opportunity to soak in the Word
of God and store it away in your mind so that later you can pass it on to your children. 1 Cor. 7:34
says, “There is difference also between a wife and a
virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be
holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things
of the world, how she may please her husband.” While this
verse doesn’t directly talk about raising kids I think it applies to mom life
and as well as being a married woman.
Misconception
#5
The mistakes that happen to other people won’t
happen to you.
Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?” I started out in my first courtship with the
best intentions only to find myself in situations I came to regret. Whether it’s giving yourself to a guy emotionally, perhaps
giving yourself to him spiritually when that’s not his place as your spiritual
authority, or even as far entering a physical relationship, be it something as
simple as holding hands or kissing, to sleeping with a guy… it is never to late
to do the right thing. One friend said that she’s heard girls say, “I’ve slept with him, now I have to
stay with him.” This kind of thinking is a lie from Satan. Satan wants us to believe that we’re marred, we’re
ruined, and we aren’t worthy. He’ll use any mistake we make to bring us down. I
learned that it’s best to learn your lesson, remember who your heavenly Father
is and have a battle plan so next time you don’t fall into temptation. Don’t
let it control you or keep you from trying to do the right thing the next time
around. It’s never too late to do the right thing.
Misconception #6
You’re incomplete
and your life doesn’t begin till you find that significant other.
Another deception was that influenced me was that you don’t really begin your
life and fulfill your true purpose until you find that person that completes
you. It was a belief that I was incomplete until I was married. Not true. It
was a freeing moment when I learned God has created each of us in His imaged. In Colossians 2:10 it says, “Ye are complete in Him…” The only thing that
makes a human incomplete is the lack of having a quickened spirit and being
saved in Christ. Once we have that relationship and union with God we are set…
Marriage is a wonderful, additional stage in life but it's not
the be-all-and-end-all.
-->
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
EYLR Follow-Up
Hello, to the gals from the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat!
It was such a privilege to share with you on Saturday morning. I was very honored to speak to you all on my "redirected relationship" experiences and I hope it was helpful information. I was very edified to spend the morning in your company and I was inspired by you all. I wish I could have gotten to know each one of you... but hey! Maybe I'll get to meet you someday at one of the Forster's retreats for married ladies.
I'd like to post the rest of the misconceptions and red flags I wasn't able to cover during my presentation on Saturday. I'm going to do a series of posts because no one wants to wade through a super long post. So keep checking my blog through the month of February. I'm not sure when I'll stop posting but I'll let you know when I get done sharing all of the information I have for you.
Please feel free to comment to say hi or even share some of your own thoughts or experiences. I'd love to hear from you!
May God bless you and may the fellowship and wisdom you enjoyed at the retreat last with you throughout the year!
-Mary Ellen
It was such a privilege to share with you on Saturday morning. I was very honored to speak to you all on my "redirected relationship" experiences and I hope it was helpful information. I was very edified to spend the morning in your company and I was inspired by you all. I wish I could have gotten to know each one of you... but hey! Maybe I'll get to meet you someday at one of the Forster's retreats for married ladies.
I'd like to post the rest of the misconceptions and red flags I wasn't able to cover during my presentation on Saturday. I'm going to do a series of posts because no one wants to wade through a super long post. So keep checking my blog through the month of February. I'm not sure when I'll stop posting but I'll let you know when I get done sharing all of the information I have for you.
Please feel free to comment to say hi or even share some of your own thoughts or experiences. I'd love to hear from you!
May God bless you and may the fellowship and wisdom you enjoyed at the retreat last with you throughout the year!
-Mary Ellen
Friday, January 25, 2019
Sad News, New York
Would you consider abortion in any of the following four situations?
1. There's a preacher and his wife who are very, very, poor. They already have 14 children. Now she learns that she's pregnant with the 15th. They are living in poverty. Due to their poverty, would you recommend she get an abortion?
2. The father is sick with syphilis, the mother has TB. They have four children. The first is blind, the second is deaf, the third is deaf and the fourth has TB. She finds she's pregnant again. Would you recommend an abortion?
1. There's a preacher and his wife who are very, very, poor. They already have 14 children. Now she learns that she's pregnant with the 15th. They are living in poverty. Due to their poverty, would you recommend she get an abortion?
2. The father is sick with syphilis, the mother has TB. They have four children. The first is blind, the second is deaf, the third is deaf and the fourth has TB. She finds she's pregnant again. Would you recommend an abortion?
3. A white man raped a 13-year-old black girl and she got pregnant. If you were her parents, would you consider abortion?
4. A teenage girl is pregnant. She is not married. Her fiancé is not the father of the baby, and he is very upset. Would you consider abortion?
If you had recommended abortion, what would have been the results?
1. In the first case, you would have killed John Wesley, one of the great evangelists of the nineteenth century.
2. In the second case, you'd have killed Beethoven.
3. In the third case, you would have killed Ethel Waters, the great black gospel singer who sang with the Billy Graham crusades.
4. If you said yes to the fourth case, you would have sanctioned the murder of Jesus Christ!
God has a special plan for each person no matter the circumstances of how they were conceived. He has a way of turning something that seems terrible into something beautiful.
Shared from a friend. Pass it along. ❤️
4. A teenage girl is pregnant. She is not married. Her fiancé is not the father of the baby, and he is very upset. Would you consider abortion?
If you had recommended abortion, what would have been the results?
1. In the first case, you would have killed John Wesley, one of the great evangelists of the nineteenth century.
2. In the second case, you'd have killed Beethoven.
3. In the third case, you would have killed Ethel Waters, the great black gospel singer who sang with the Billy Graham crusades.
4. If you said yes to the fourth case, you would have sanctioned the murder of Jesus Christ!
God has a special plan for each person no matter the circumstances of how they were conceived. He has a way of turning something that seems terrible into something beautiful.
Shared from a friend. Pass it along. ❤️
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Stop The Sex Addiction Epidemic
It's amazing how fast life can change and grow into beautiful things. God is always faithful to us in every season of life. Even the hard ones. Which reminds me of a close family member who is having a hard time being faithful to his family. It seems that Satan has a mighty plan to destroy him and his family. Yet, I pray that God finds a crack in his stony heart and that love for truth and righteousness will grow in him once more. It seems that the Devil has bound his heart in sexual addiction among other issues. The more I learn of the topic the more I've come to realize that sexual addiction is extremely prevalent in our culture. With the internet providing explicit content instantly to the curious viewer it's no wonder that more and more souls are losing their lives to the secret life of sexual issues. It makes me so sad and heavyhearted. Everyone is at risk... the young, the old, men and woman alike. The only way to break this cycle of abuse is by bringing it to light and helping people become aware of the problems and how they can find a path to recovery.
My sister-in-law had my family watch this video and it was really fascinating. Super sad in the statistics but hopeful in that there's way for people to get help. I could only find the interview in small segments when I searched for it to share on my blog but you can watch the whole interview by clicking this link:
Dr. Patrick Carnes, Leading Sex Addiction Expert, Video Interview
Congratulations Courtney and Kyle!!!
January is here without it's usual frosty ways. Just a week or so ago it was so warm that the family was out doors cleaning the lawn and the farm with nothing more than a light spring jacket! There's barely snow on the ground, just patches of ice from the rainy, misty days and a few mounds of snow from December. A very unusual January, indeed.
Just yesterday Jeff and I received the most wonderful phone call. My dear friend Courtney is engaged to be married to her now-fiance Kyle! We just spent this past weekend with them and it was so nice to see how well suited they were for each other. We'd only met Kyle once before exactly a year ago at a New Year's party and they were "just friends" at the time. My heart is overflowing with joy for them and I look forward to see what more God has in store for them as they build a life together!
It's also Courtney's birthday today! 26 years! We'll be the same age for less than a week. She's such a great friend and has stuck by me through the seasons of life! I'm thankful to God for her.
Just yesterday Jeff and I received the most wonderful phone call. My dear friend Courtney is engaged to be married to her now-fiance Kyle! We just spent this past weekend with them and it was so nice to see how well suited they were for each other. We'd only met Kyle once before exactly a year ago at a New Year's party and they were "just friends" at the time. My heart is overflowing with joy for them and I look forward to see what more God has in store for them as they build a life together!
It's also Courtney's birthday today! 26 years! We'll be the same age for less than a week. She's such a great friend and has stuck by me through the seasons of life! I'm thankful to God for her.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Reminiscent of New Years Eve 2016
We settled into my parent's home just in time for the holiday cheer this December. I realized that I've only lived away from my parents home for just under a year and a half which is a rather humorous fact. Christmas was always an exciting time of year in my parents home. We had the biggest, best tree, with perfect decorations and presents that were so plentiful that the tree skirt was nowhere to be seen. The best was plugging in the lights at night and basking in the glow of their twinkle. And then..... we stopped doing presents and Christmas trees. No more glorious smell of pine filling up the house. No more presents on Christmas morning. December just wasn't the same.
Not to mention I had strong negative emotions tied to Christmas. One of the last years we celebrated Christmas traditionally I was in a courtship with a guy who I'd been quite infatuated with for a number of years. We'd been courting for a total of three weeks starting in the beginning of December and then on Christmas Eve he wouldn't talk to me and pretty much ignored me the whole night. By Christmas morning he acted like nothing had happened and was jolly and merry with the whole family but he didn't really interact with me much. Finally by Christmas evening I asked him what was going on. He told me he wasn't going to break it to me on Christmas but since I asked he was breaking up with me. Of course that ruined Christmas for me and since I was young, "in love" and it was my first relationship ever it was heartbreaking. It amuses me now to think about but Taylor Swift came out with her version of "Last Christmas" and so that really came my melancholy heartstrings a song that resonated well with my sad spirit. Oh, the teen years!
As it happened that was probably one of the last years that my family really celebrated Christmas in the traditional manner. We stopped doing presents as it had grown to be a financial burden and we discontinued doing a Christmas tree as well. We still got together with family and had a special meal together but it wasn't the same. At least that's how I felt.
Fast forward to 2016. I met Jeff in February at an organic farming conference. We barely spoke but we kept bumping into each and so at the end of the three day event we swapped info and later found each other on Facebook. We messaged a little on Facebook and then didn't talk again till November. Jeff messaged me asking if he could stop by for a visit and stay at our farm on his way to his family's home in Canada. Of course I said yes and we began messaging frequently after that. The more we messaged the more we discovered we had in common and things grew serious. We were sharing life stories and discussing future desires. By the time he visited it was not so much a question of did we want to be in a relationship but when.
Two years ago today Jeff cornered my dad as he came out of the restroom during a Christmas Eve party with my mom's family. He asked my dad if he could court me and as he and my mom had already discussed the issue and knew my feelings on the matter he gave Jeff his permission. I think that's the best holiday season I've ever experienced. The excitement and thrill of getting to know Jeff through messenger during Thanksgiving, having him visit just before Christmas and then beginning a courtship with him on New Years Day. That's enough to make any woman's heart full of joy! The funny part was that my dad assumed Jeff informed me of my dad's consent for us to be in a relationship and Jeff assumed my dad had filled me in and I was clueless. When we woke up the next morning, New Years Day 2017, my parents sat us down and were talking about the seriousness of being in a relationship and marriage... etc. I thought maybe they were taking matters into their own hands since Jeff and I had been talking so seriously the past two months. Then over breakfast they said something about announcing it in church and by that point I was freaking out. I thought they were going to scare Jeff off for sure and that they were being rather forward! So I was opposing all of their suggestions and felt quite uncomfortable. My dad did announce it in church that we were courting and that was actually the first time I was informed of our courtship. Quite a surprise, though a very pleasant one. Oh, life is amusing isn't it?!
The rest is history. Needless to say the joy and bliss of the Christmas and New Year season has returned and is much more beautiful than I could have ever imagine. Redeemed and made wonderful by Jeff coming into my life. The hurts of past Christmas's pale and are forgot in the radiant memories of 2016 and 2017.
At last, 2018 has come to a close leaving blessings in it's wake. A new child, our first anniversary, and 20 acres of land that we can call our own till the end of our days. It has been a good year.
Not to mention I had strong negative emotions tied to Christmas. One of the last years we celebrated Christmas traditionally I was in a courtship with a guy who I'd been quite infatuated with for a number of years. We'd been courting for a total of three weeks starting in the beginning of December and then on Christmas Eve he wouldn't talk to me and pretty much ignored me the whole night. By Christmas morning he acted like nothing had happened and was jolly and merry with the whole family but he didn't really interact with me much. Finally by Christmas evening I asked him what was going on. He told me he wasn't going to break it to me on Christmas but since I asked he was breaking up with me. Of course that ruined Christmas for me and since I was young, "in love" and it was my first relationship ever it was heartbreaking. It amuses me now to think about but Taylor Swift came out with her version of "Last Christmas" and so that really came my melancholy heartstrings a song that resonated well with my sad spirit. Oh, the teen years!
As it happened that was probably one of the last years that my family really celebrated Christmas in the traditional manner. We stopped doing presents as it had grown to be a financial burden and we discontinued doing a Christmas tree as well. We still got together with family and had a special meal together but it wasn't the same. At least that's how I felt.
Fast forward to 2016. I met Jeff in February at an organic farming conference. We barely spoke but we kept bumping into each and so at the end of the three day event we swapped info and later found each other on Facebook. We messaged a little on Facebook and then didn't talk again till November. Jeff messaged me asking if he could stop by for a visit and stay at our farm on his way to his family's home in Canada. Of course I said yes and we began messaging frequently after that. The more we messaged the more we discovered we had in common and things grew serious. We were sharing life stories and discussing future desires. By the time he visited it was not so much a question of did we want to be in a relationship but when.
Two years ago today Jeff cornered my dad as he came out of the restroom during a Christmas Eve party with my mom's family. He asked my dad if he could court me and as he and my mom had already discussed the issue and knew my feelings on the matter he gave Jeff his permission. I think that's the best holiday season I've ever experienced. The excitement and thrill of getting to know Jeff through messenger during Thanksgiving, having him visit just before Christmas and then beginning a courtship with him on New Years Day. That's enough to make any woman's heart full of joy! The funny part was that my dad assumed Jeff informed me of my dad's consent for us to be in a relationship and Jeff assumed my dad had filled me in and I was clueless. When we woke up the next morning, New Years Day 2017, my parents sat us down and were talking about the seriousness of being in a relationship and marriage... etc. I thought maybe they were taking matters into their own hands since Jeff and I had been talking so seriously the past two months. Then over breakfast they said something about announcing it in church and by that point I was freaking out. I thought they were going to scare Jeff off for sure and that they were being rather forward! So I was opposing all of their suggestions and felt quite uncomfortable. My dad did announce it in church that we were courting and that was actually the first time I was informed of our courtship. Quite a surprise, though a very pleasant one. Oh, life is amusing isn't it?!
The rest is history. Needless to say the joy and bliss of the Christmas and New Year season has returned and is much more beautiful than I could have ever imagine. Redeemed and made wonderful by Jeff coming into my life. The hurts of past Christmas's pale and are forgot in the radiant memories of 2016 and 2017.
At last, 2018 has come to a close leaving blessings in it's wake. A new child, our first anniversary, and 20 acres of land that we can call our own till the end of our days. It has been a good year.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Best Buys of the Year
You know when you find a remarkable product and you just can't help chirping about it to all your friends? Well, that's what this post is about. Three really cool, life improving items that I'm really glad I spent our hard earned dough on (thanks to my hard working hubby!).
ONE: Silicone baking cups.
Sure the cute paper liners are adorable and a lot of fun.... if you like eating paper with your treat. It was a batch of muffins when finally I said enough is enough! It was a delicious pumpkin bread muffin but as usual half the muffin was sticking to the paper and I felt like a nut try to scrape off the last little crusty bits of goodness. No more. I ordered these reusable cups that make perfect, beautiful cupcakes and muffins. Hallelujah!
TWO: Then there was The Life Planner.
Actually I didn't buy this one for myself. My Aunt actually drove three hours to show the ladies in the family how life changing having a planner was. We were all thinking, sure, sure.... just another fancy dust collector, when the calendar works just fine. In order to prove her point she gave us each a planner. The year was half over so she was able to purchase them on a sale but half a year was long enough to convince me. You gotta try one. They are colorful and bring more joy to the daily, weekly and monthly scheduling process. They cost around $55... which comes out to a cost of $0.15 a day for a fun, useful and essential organization tool. Actually, the cheapest planner costs $35 and RIGHT NOW they have a 20% off on all their planners.
THREE: My favorite purchase...
I bought a Tempdrop and now I'm trying to convince all my lady friends to get one! It's a wearable thermometer that tracks your basal body temperature. What's so cool about this device is that it takes your temperature numerous times throughout the night (or day if that's when you sleep). I've never tracked my BBT without my TempDrop but I've heard horror stories from gals about how you have to take it at the same time every morning with a thermometer, before you stir in bed or get up. This must make it REALLY hard to get an accurate reading. And what happens when you want to sleep in? Or if you get up in the middle of the night for a snack or a trip to the bathroom? This can affect your reading. But not with a TempDrop!
If you're not married and in the baby making season yet you might be thinking you don't need one. But you do. Here's why: When you're single you have more money to spend freely. Whether it's a cup of coffee, a new dress or a tank of gas, money is easier to spend when you're single and don't have a family to feed. Take advantage of this time to prepare for your baby making days! Not only that but tracking your BBT isn't just about fertility. It's about knowing your body. I wish I would have started learning my body's signs before getting married. I had terrible periods occasionally where I'd be throwing up, faint, and have all sorts of other unpleasant symptoms. My cycle was longer than most womens and it would occasionally change on me due to stress or other things. Had I tracked my BBT I could have better know and prepared for my cycle and perhaps even learned how to change my diet and environment to establish better health. To add to the list I could have gone into marriage knowing when I was and wasn't fertile.
Which brings me to the reasons why I think you should get a TempDrop if you're in your baby making years. So many women are on unnatural forms of birth control that do a lot of damage to their bodies. TempDrop allows you to track when you ovulate and when you're fertile and not fertile. This could be an answer to prayers for some couples who are having more trouble trying to conceive!! The big bonus and selling point for me was that it works while breastfeeding. In spite of waking up numerous times throughout the night to nurse my little guy I can still track my BBT. It takes about two months of consistent wearing/data for the TempDrop to gather enough info to give you accurate feedback. If you think of how much people spend on contraceptives or fertility treatments over the course of a woman's lifetime this is SO CHEAP. How could you NOT afford to buy one?
There are a few different companies offering devices like the Tempdrop but my friend recommended this one to me and I really like it. The added bonus is that you can get referral candy! ....which means that if I tell you about TempDrop and you buy one, I get $10 and you get $10 off! Pretty awesome, if you ask me!
FOUR: the Waterpik
My dentist recommended a waterpik to me and I've heard people talking them for a while but who spends $60 on a machine that takes up space in your bathroom when you can buy floss? Well, I did. My assessment? It's revolutionized oral hygiene. It takes a little testing and trying to figure out how to use a Waterpik efficiently without spraying down the whole bathroom, but after that it's a breeze. It cleans your teeth better than a toothbrush and leaves them feeling smoother than your honey's buns! But seriously.... for me floss is a thing of the past or perhaps something you carry in your purse for emergencies. Like those occasions when you go to a restaurant and leave with half a piece of pineapple stuck between your teeth! Dental health hasn't always been my strong point as my mouth as small and some of my teeth are hard to get to. The Waterpik has numerous attachments that make it easy to reach all those teeth in the back of my mouth. I wish I would have purchased one a long time ago.
What have you bought this year that's made your life more enjoyable, easier and exciting?
It's been a good year with some fun finds. Can't wait to see what next year brings!
ONE: Silicone baking cups.
Sure the cute paper liners are adorable and a lot of fun.... if you like eating paper with your treat. It was a batch of muffins when finally I said enough is enough! It was a delicious pumpkin bread muffin but as usual half the muffin was sticking to the paper and I felt like a nut try to scrape off the last little crusty bits of goodness. No more. I ordered these reusable cups that make perfect, beautiful cupcakes and muffins. Hallelujah!
TWO: Then there was The Life Planner.
Actually I didn't buy this one for myself. My Aunt actually drove three hours to show the ladies in the family how life changing having a planner was. We were all thinking, sure, sure.... just another fancy dust collector, when the calendar works just fine. In order to prove her point she gave us each a planner. The year was half over so she was able to purchase them on a sale but half a year was long enough to convince me. You gotta try one. They are colorful and bring more joy to the daily, weekly and monthly scheduling process. They cost around $55... which comes out to a cost of $0.15 a day for a fun, useful and essential organization tool. Actually, the cheapest planner costs $35 and RIGHT NOW they have a 20% off on all their planners.
I bought a Tempdrop and now I'm trying to convince all my lady friends to get one! It's a wearable thermometer that tracks your basal body temperature. What's so cool about this device is that it takes your temperature numerous times throughout the night (or day if that's when you sleep). I've never tracked my BBT without my TempDrop but I've heard horror stories from gals about how you have to take it at the same time every morning with a thermometer, before you stir in bed or get up. This must make it REALLY hard to get an accurate reading. And what happens when you want to sleep in? Or if you get up in the middle of the night for a snack or a trip to the bathroom? This can affect your reading. But not with a TempDrop!
If you're not married and in the baby making season yet you might be thinking you don't need one. But you do. Here's why: When you're single you have more money to spend freely. Whether it's a cup of coffee, a new dress or a tank of gas, money is easier to spend when you're single and don't have a family to feed. Take advantage of this time to prepare for your baby making days! Not only that but tracking your BBT isn't just about fertility. It's about knowing your body. I wish I would have started learning my body's signs before getting married. I had terrible periods occasionally where I'd be throwing up, faint, and have all sorts of other unpleasant symptoms. My cycle was longer than most womens and it would occasionally change on me due to stress or other things. Had I tracked my BBT I could have better know and prepared for my cycle and perhaps even learned how to change my diet and environment to establish better health. To add to the list I could have gone into marriage knowing when I was and wasn't fertile.
Which brings me to the reasons why I think you should get a TempDrop if you're in your baby making years. So many women are on unnatural forms of birth control that do a lot of damage to their bodies. TempDrop allows you to track when you ovulate and when you're fertile and not fertile. This could be an answer to prayers for some couples who are having more trouble trying to conceive!! The big bonus and selling point for me was that it works while breastfeeding. In spite of waking up numerous times throughout the night to nurse my little guy I can still track my BBT. It takes about two months of consistent wearing/data for the TempDrop to gather enough info to give you accurate feedback. If you think of how much people spend on contraceptives or fertility treatments over the course of a woman's lifetime this is SO CHEAP. How could you NOT afford to buy one?
There are a few different companies offering devices like the Tempdrop but my friend recommended this one to me and I really like it. The added bonus is that you can get referral candy! ....which means that if I tell you about TempDrop and you buy one, I get $10 and you get $10 off! Pretty awesome, if you ask me!
FOUR: the Waterpik
My dentist recommended a waterpik to me and I've heard people talking them for a while but who spends $60 on a machine that takes up space in your bathroom when you can buy floss? Well, I did. My assessment? It's revolutionized oral hygiene. It takes a little testing and trying to figure out how to use a Waterpik efficiently without spraying down the whole bathroom, but after that it's a breeze. It cleans your teeth better than a toothbrush and leaves them feeling smoother than your honey's buns! But seriously.... for me floss is a thing of the past or perhaps something you carry in your purse for emergencies. Like those occasions when you go to a restaurant and leave with half a piece of pineapple stuck between your teeth! Dental health hasn't always been my strong point as my mouth as small and some of my teeth are hard to get to. The Waterpik has numerous attachments that make it easy to reach all those teeth in the back of my mouth. I wish I would have purchased one a long time ago.
What have you bought this year that's made your life more enjoyable, easier and exciting?
It's been a good year with some fun finds. Can't wait to see what next year brings!
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