Відео

Wow, thank you so much! I feel so honoured that you found enough value to share ❤

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad you found value ❤

Yes! Freedom comes when we stop seeking validation from others and focus on our worth in Christ. It's such a freeing experience to dress in a way that reflects our values and honours God, rather than seeking attention or approval. It's a beautiful reminder that our identity is found in Him, not in the opinions of others ❤

This is so well-communicated, thank you for sharing ❤

It's the next video, on Thursday!

The first time is being aware so this is amazing that you already have a great idea of what you can cut/reduce!

I am so glad you found value in it ❤ I wasn't planning on doing that because this is temporary and it's not our furniture. I have been asked that so that may be something to consider!

Ah that makes sense. Would love to see a home tour but if you don’t do one, totally understandable 😊 You do a wonderful job on your videos!

@@elizabethjohnson8164 Thank you so much for the encouragement, I so appreciate that ❤

It's @paulsaladinomd I don't necessarily endorse everything he stands for but his animal-based information and seed oil information have helped us tremendously! I think he also has other social media as well, I only follow him on UA-cam

I love that you’ve recognized which apps tend to keep you scrolling-that’s such a helpful insight when it comes to setting boundaries! I totally get the need to keep Facebook for staying in touch with family. For me, I’ve found that the people I truly want to stay connected with, I make an effort to call or text separately. My first priority is obviously my immediate family-my husband and four daughters-and then I focus on staying connected with my mom and siblings. Since three of my siblings live in different provinces and states, we have a group chat on WhatsApp where we stay in touch almost daily. For the rest of the extended family, like aunts, uncles, and cousins, if I really want to keep in touch, I’ll message them directly. I’ve learned that the most important people will share their exciting news and life updates with us directly if they truly care about building a relationship. And same for me-I will share about our life only to the people I truly want to build a relationship with. I've been learning a lot about circumstantial relationships and I've found a lot of our relationships are actually circumstantial. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just something that helped me be aware of how much time I want to invest in those types of relationships. I also sometimes reactivate my Facebook for a few minutes to check out the homeschooling groups for some ideas. I personally unfollowed almost everybody in my Facebook to not receive notifications when they post so that is helpful when I go back on it! I've heard of some people setting timers to be scrolling, that may be a good idea. I hope this gives you some ideas to keep being intentional with your phone. I'm sure you will find a method that works for you ❤

@messy2mastery I had never thought about circumstantial relationships. That is something to consider. And I didn't know you could close and reopen Facebook. Do they make it difficult to do, or is it pretty easy, just signing back in? I like that idea. I agree with intentional relationships. The way you shared really helps me think all this through. Thank you, and God bless! 😊

@@lwangelsbg I'm so glad to hear that! ❤ Yes, Facebook wants us on their app as often as possible so they make it very easy to reactivate (you just need to log back in!) If anything, they make it so we jump through a few hoops to deactivate it. If you want the option to reactivate when it's convenient for you, just make sure you select deactivate and not delete!

YEEEES! That is so awesome! I so want to get there!

@ we can do it with the Lord’s help.

@@blessedlifewithlaura BOOOOM! I absolutely love this reminder. That just took away all the excuses I have 🙈

@@messy2mastery yes! Same here!

The girls have absolutely amazing grandparents, aunts, and uncles who love blessing them as well. They do similarly to us - some years, they received an experience like a membership at the science centre; some other years, they received some toys; and some other years, they received nothing. When they give gifts, they typically ask us what the girls would like to stay intentional in their gifting. We are absolutely grateful for that ❤

Wow, that is AMAZING! I love how you have been intentional about reducing your screen time and found ways to keep yourself even more accountable, like removing Safari. It is so encouraging to hear how it has helped you be more present with your family and rediscover the joy of reading! Thank you so much for sharing your experience ❤

Thank YOU for being here! It is amazing how cutting down screen time can make such a big difference ❤

Thank you so much for your kind words! I feel so honoured that you find value in the videos. It means so much to to me ❤

Yes, I totally agree with the decorations! I have found that the atmosphere around Halloween can feel very dark overall. Celebrating Christmas and Easter focusing on their true meaning is such a beautiful way to honour our faith. It is encouraging to hear how you are also making decisions that reflect your beliefs ❤

Absolutely, they love wearing bows, headbands, and all hair things!

Our girls' grandparents and aunts live in different provinces so for gifts, they either ship toys directly to our home or they e-transfer us money, asking to bring the girls shopping for a toy. When they receive money as gifts, we teach them to give 10% to church; 10% in their savings; and 10% for fun. The remainder 70% can be as they wish (church, savings, or fun) All the money they get (that they don't spend) goes directly in their bank account!

That is awesome that you are celebrating Christmas in a way that aligns with your values, thank you for sharing!

I can see how learning more about yourself through a diagnosis might be helpful for some people, and I hope you find the clarity you are looking for. Personally, I feel that in our modern society, there is a growing tendency to label everything and everyone and make it part of a diagnosis. We have also been conditioned to think we need to be going non-stop and to be productive, which can make it challenging to recognize when we simply need to slow down. For me, simplifying my life and turning to prayer have been far more helpful than seeking a label or diagnosis ❤

@ I totally agree with you about the labels stuff. Thank you for your reply. Personally for me the “diagnosis” is not so much for labels, as it is more to understand how I can function better in a day to day life. Since about the age 12 years old I had depression (for over 23 years), been overweight, been anorexic, thought whether I was bipolar, I was either tooooo motivated and impulsive or tooo down right suicidal, and I tried a bunch of different stuff like prayers, meditation, journaling, exercise, diets, meetups, reading self help books. Pretty much the only thing I did not do was go to seek psychiatric diagnosis. Now like couple of months ago I stumbled upon one UA-cam video (don’t remember which), where the person said that in the case of (I don’t remember which diagnosis they had autism or ADHD or something) their diagnosis depression is just a side effect, not the main cause. When I heard that it sort of clicked in my head “hey there is no need to jump off some tall building, I can just look at it as a symptom of a different issue all together”. Serendipitously I had made an appointment with a lovely lady who works with energy healing and whatever natural therapy things for that week (made like a month prior), and I can not say for sure whether it was that YT video or that lady’s help which worked for me (perhaps the two together), but since that week I did not continue contemplating about various rooftops. So I think in some cases having a diagnosis (or at least an idea that their “depression” is not actually that, but just a side effect of some chemical imbalance in their brain) is really helpful. Moreover the more I learn about this “disorder”, the more I find interesting and useful ways to make my life more of how I want it to be. I started to accept myself more the way I am and understand that I will never be able to do with the same ease (or at all) some things that many other people find easy or simple or just natural. In your case it is prayer and God and church community, which is great. For me on some level I am a little jealous (in a nice way) that you can find that through prayer. I’m either “not there yet”, or “not how I function”, and that’s okay, I know. Thus I need to find other means that work for me. Oh, like decluttering. For instance I actually don’t care much for “minimalism”, however my “whatever disorder I got” brain loves clarity and order and when everything is tidy. My physical part of me finds it often very very very difficult to actually DO something, anything, on some days (especially before that week when I went to see that energy lady). So I keep my stuff as minimal as I can, IN ORDER TO make my life easier and more functional. Not because I like the esthetics of it or whatever. Like if you only got four plates even if all of them are dirty- it’s just 4, not 10-20-50. 4 is easier to deal with than 20 on a “bad” day. I find that minimalism and decluttering are not an option but more of a necessity for me. Sorry for the long rant. Good luck and holiday blessings to you and your family!

Wow, I absolutely love the idea of a life size nativity set! May be something we add to Christmas next year. Thank you for the suggestion ❤

@messy2mastery it's good fun making them. I used particle board, reasonably cheap, and a good sealant to protect them from the weather. We made Mary and Joseph, a Shepard, a wise man and a couple of sheep. Of course a crib, made from old pallets, and a baby doll for Jesus. My kids then dropped fairy lights around the scene. I wish I had some photo's, but I really wasn't into photography at that point of time. Have a blessed Christmas! ❤️

That is so kind - Thank you so much ❤

Yeeees! As Christian moms, it is so important to teach our children truth and keep the focus on Jesus ❤

And you can totally do it too ❤

The solstice refers to an astronomical event that happens twice a year, marking the shortest day (winter solstice) and the longest day (summer solstice) of the year. Santa is a legendary figure derived from Saint Nicholas, a Christian known for his generosity and gift-giving. Over time, Santa Claus became a cultural icon associated with Christmas, depicted as a jolly man who brings gifts to children. While widely recognized in modern holiday traditions, Santa is not part of the Biblical Christmas story, which is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Ultimately, I’m glad you have found what works for your values ❤

@@messy2mastery We don't know when Jesus was born. They just took an already existing holiday season and roped Jesus in, not vice versa. Santa is a different thing, yes but the holiday isn't just about Jesus.

@@Kalani_Saiko That is correct-the exact date of Jesus’ birth is not known. If you watched the video, I mentioned that our family chooses to keep Christmas as the celebration of Jesus' birth. There is a difference between celebrating Christmas as the celebration of Jesus' birth and celebrating Christmas as Jesus' birth. I understand we all see the season differently based on our different beliefs, and I’m glad you are celebrating in a way that’s meaningful to you ❤

That is such a thoughtful approach! It’s awesome that you found a way to respect other families’ traditions while staying true to your own values ❤

It is amazing that you got to know Jesus through the celebrations around Santa! For our family, however, the benefit of bringing people to Christ via Santa does not outweigh the consequences. As mentioned in the video, we don’t want to tell our children that some stranger sees and knows everything they do, as only God is all-seeing and all-knowing. This can create confusion by mimicking God’s omniscience. We also want them to take full ownership of their actions instead of relying on external rewards for their behaviour. And most importantly, we want them to grow up understanding that the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. There are so many ways to share the Gospel and bring Christ to non-Christians during Christmas without needing to rely on Santa. Christmas hymns that glorify Jesus often play in stores, creating a unique opportunity for people to hear the Gospel in public spaces. Nativity displays, church services, Christmas plays, and events like live nativity experiences can beautifully share the story of Jesus’ birth. Acts of love and service, inviting people to join in Christmas traditions centered on Christ and church, simply sharing our personal testimony, or my personal favourite - being an example of how we live our life during this joyful time can also open hearts to Him. Ultimately, I’m glad you have found what works best for your family and a way to connect your celebrations to Christ. It is a joy to see how we can all keep Jesus at the centre of Christmas in ways that align with our convictions ❤

I understand what you’re saying. I just know there’s a lot of people who aren’t Christian who still celebrate Christmas because of Santa so eliminating Santa means there will be no connection to Christmas for those children growing up in homes without Jesus. The homes without Jesus don’t explore the nativity scenes and the parents usually reject Jesus but still allow Santa. In our American society right now I don’t think that spreading the message that Santa should be rejected is helping bring people to Christ. Imagine our society without Santa as the bridge. It will be just Jesus and people who hate Jesus. The children in those homes will have no connection to Jesus’ birth because there’s no common celebration between the two. Are the Christmas movies that just talk about Jesus’ birthday popular? No. Are the movies that show celebration around Christmas popular? Yes, tremendously. For example, the Grinch. In the most recent version, he is actually upset that people are focused on consumerism instead of the true meaning of Christmas. So he decides to ruin Christmas for everyone. But in the end he realizes the totality of the celebrations (gifts, lights, decorations, Santa) are bringing everyone together all in celebration of Jesus’ birthday.

@@DaileyFoods I can see how deeply you care about connecting people to Christ via Santa. While our family chooses to approach Christmas differently, it’s always a blessing to see other families choosing to keep Jesus at the centre of Christmas ❤

Thank you for sharing these stories - They made me laugh out loud haha It is so encouraging to hear how you went from not knowing much about cooking to becoming an amazing cook who brings joy to others through your meals. This is where I currently am at. I've just learned some cooking and baking recipes because I also want to cook everything from scratch (from a health perspective) I just learned to make cinnamon rolls and NAILED my third trial (I know, not the most healthy but gluten-free, kefir milk, and maple syrup so does that make them healthy-ish? haha) I love how you and your husband were able to laugh through those early moments-those stories are the kind that make a marriage stronger and more fun over time. Your grit and resilience are so inspiring, and I love your heart for serving others ❤

@@messy2mastery yes me too! I started really getting into it from a health perspective. I also sub a lot of dairy with kefir too! Don’t substitute it in egg nog you’ll thank me later LOL. Thank you! I am loving your videos. I love how you talk quickly and your points are made in 10 minutes or so with a lot of great examples. That’s awesome though I love hearing when people are learning to cook from scratch more, so many people don’t!

@@TotallyCoral Thank you so much for your kind comment ❤I am so glad you are finding value in the videos! Yes, I have IBS and we went off dairy for a few years, until we heard about the animal-based way of eating that focuses on meat, raw milk and kefir, ghee, raw honey, and fruits. I am still working my courage to check out raw milk but I was willing to give it a go with kefir. And my tummy has been very happy with me so yay! Thanks again for watching and sharing your thoughts! It means so much!

Thank you so much for sharing such a deeply personal and meaningful reflection. I am so sorry for the loss you have experienced, and I am truly inspired by the wisdom and perspective you have gained through it. It is incredible how you have turned such a heartbreaking experience into an opportunity for growth, reflection, and a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships. The decision to share your journey with only those you deeply trust shows such strength and discernment. It is so true that not everyone deserves access to our most vulnerable moments, and it is a beautiful way of protecting your heart and honouring your experiences. Your compassion and sensitivity to others’ struggles, especially those who may be dealing with infertility, is also such a testament to your empathetic heart. It is a reminder of the power we have to either uplift or unintentionally hurt others. I just prayed for you-for your peace and for God's blessings in your future ❤

@@messy2mastery thank you! Yes it took about well over 8 or so months to come to this growth. I was so scorned and depressed, hateful. It’s also in this past year I found my faith in god. I haven’t gotten to my goal of a family yet but even so, I am placing my faith in his hands that this journey has a purpose. I feel so much more at peace giving this to god because trying to control something I can’t control was actually going to drive me crazy. I had to find forgiveness for a lot of people in my life, and finding god saved me so much heart ache. Thank you again, you say it better than I ever could! You have a way with words.

@@TotallyCoral I can feel the peace in your words, and it is truly inspiring to see how you have placed your trust in God, even when your goal hasn't been reached yet. Surrendering control of something as deeply personal as this takes incredible strength. I so relate to what you are saying about letting go of control-I love to plan, control, and know what’s next haha Aaaand time and time again, God shows me it's not always in my timing but always in His perfect timing ❤

This is such a heartfelt and thoughtful comment! Thank you for sharing your journey and perspective with such honesty. It’s obvious that you have put a lot of thought into how you celebrate Christmas in a way that aligns with your values, and that is truly admirable. Your point about the "magic" of Jesus versus the cultural traditions of Santa is such a deep and important reflection. It’s a great reminder to keep our focus on Christ during Christmas and to guide our children in understanding the true source of all blessings and joy. Your testimony is powerful and inspiring, showing how God’s grace can transform hearts and homes ❤

Thank YOU for sharing your personal story, that is so powerful! If you have kids, they will be absolutely blessed to have you as their mama ❤

Yeees! We've found that honesty truly is the most important thing! I love that you are being open with your daughter about Santa and letting her know you are the ones buying her gifts! One of our daughters is currently reading a book about how the character of Santa started with Saint Nicholas, which has been a great way to learn the history behind it ❤

❤

Thank you for sharing your heart! I so hear how challenging it can be to navigate these questions. We recently transitioned to a church that is deeply rooted in Biblical truth, so I can relate to seeking a place that reflects God’s Word. While the Bible doesn’t speak of denominations as we know them today, it calls us to be one body in Christ, unified in faith and obedience to Him. When it comes to worldly celebrations, it is so encouraging that God is guiding you. Trusting His leading and aligning with Scripture is always the best path. I love that you are asking these questions, and I trust He will give you clarity and peace as you seek to honour Him in every area of your life ❤

Thank you so much for your kind words! It is such a blessing to hear how God is guiding you in creating a Christ-centered Christmas for your granddaughter. What a precious gift you are giving her by pointing her to His love and truth❤

@@messy2mastery 🥰

YEEEES! I love the way you are modelling gratitude ❤

@ thank you!!❤️

I love reading this! Thank you for sharing ❤

Ooooh, I like the idea of only during summer! Thank you for the suggestion!

Thank you so much for making the time to share this, Melissa! I'm so glad you found value ❤

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you are finding value ❤

Thank you so much for sharing, Cheryl! It sounds like you deeply love your daughter and want the best for her, which is so beautiful. Sometimes, the best way to inspire others is by living out the changes ourselves. Your own journey with God and minimalism might plant seeds in her heart without you even realizing it ❤️

Absolutely - It's on my list of next videos! In a nutshell, I have IBS symptoms and on the quest on getting to the roots of the issue, we did a Whole30 reset (which is 30 days of eating only meat, fruits and veggies, and nuts - no legumes, no gluten, no grains, no dairy, no processed sugar) After the reset, we reintroduced each item to see what triggers us. When we reintroduced sugar, I felt massive migraines, brain fogs, and just crazy mood swings. It can be so challenging to give up sugar because, in Canada, it's seriously in everything but it is SO WORTH IT! We now only have pure maple syrup and raw honey in our home (and the chocolate chips and coconut that I mentioned - although you can also find those unsweetened) We ditched everything sugar-related (even our fish sauce is sugar-free!!!) I seriously feel so much better, more energized, more healthy (no more headaches!), and just BETTER! We kept similar ways of eating, after the reset, with lots of meat, raw cheese, fruits and raw honey. I hope this helps!

Yes, we encourage our girls to wear dresses and headbands as part of embracing femininity. Our daily outfits are usually a top + a skirt or dress (and leggings in colder weather), which we started my journey on Biblical Womanhood and started learning the importance of dressing with modesty and femininity. We all need to wear clothes, and keeping their hair out of their faces is practical. We choose dresses and hair elastics + headbands to keep everything tidy! On the other hand, things like nail polish and makeup aren’t necessities and can more easily encourage vanity, which I’ve experienced personally. I don’t think there’s a perfect answer or a universal line to be drawn on this. The Bible calls us to dress with modesty and femininity, and it leaves room for discernment to decide what works best for each family. For us, it’s about teaching our girls to value inner beauty and character while enjoying age-appropriate expressions of femininity. I’m so glad you found value in the video-Thank you for sharing your thoughts ❤

@mandywinter8871 it definitely takes practice but what I have done is to cover my ears and show in my face how uncomfortable it feels, I sometimes add an “ouch! My ears hurt”. They will look at you when they see you’re covering your ears because that’s out of the norm and they are curious. Once you get their attention, you can tell them with a speaking-tone “my ears hurt when it’s too loud”. That’s an idea. Good luck!

This is something I totally understand, and I think so many of us can relate! Here’s what’s been helping us: First, we like to do practice runs where we role-play and practice using talking voices so the expectation feels familiar. Second, we set them up for success by reminding them of the expectation ahead of time-whether it’s before heading outside, entering a public space, or even playing in their play area. I’ll ask them, "Do you remember why we use talking voices?" and they usually respond, "Because we want to be respectful to the people around us." If they get too excited and forget, I offer a friendly reminder once, "Talking voices, please." If it continues, I’ll go to them, make eye contact, and ask if they’d like to sit with me for a minute to regain control. (This is not time-out, just an opportunity for them to pause, take a breather, and step away from the excitement) I’ve also been working on catching the behavior early-before it escalates-because if I let it go too long, I find it more challenging to stay calm myself. Addressing it early allows me to stay in control and respond with patience. It is definitely a work in progress for all of us-myself included! None of us are perfect, and our kids are not perfect either. What matters most is the love and effort we are putting into this journey. The fact that you are reflecting on this and striving to improve shows how much you love your kids and care about your parenting ❤

@@princessaome This is an awesome idea!

Thank you for sharing your heart so openly, Rebecca. It sounds like you are doing amazing at loving and caring for your family, and that is honourable and praiseworthy. I love that your heart is in the right place, seeking to honour God and follow His design for your family. It is so encouraging to hear that both you and your husband are working towards making it possible for you to be completely present for your family. That is such a beautiful goal, and I truly believe God sees your desires and will guide you step by step. He is faithful, and He will make a way. I just prayed for you-for peace, clarity, and strength ❤

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! Speaking slower has been a lifelong work in progress for me 🙈 I actually thought I was speaking slower in my recent videos-guess there’s still room to improve! While I’m learning and growing, there is also an option to adjust the playback speed to slow it down if that helps. As for being calm... I think my passion just takes over when I’m sharing topics I love ❤ I truly appreciate your kind words and support-it means so much to me!

Thank you for being here, Laura! I am so glad you found value in this video ❤

@ you’re welcome! I truly did.

Thank you for being so encouraging, Mama! ❤