Modern Homemakers: Recent Episodes
Donna Otto
For more than 25 years Donna Otto has shared inspiration and practical wisdom. She is an Author and founder of Modern Homemakers (formerly Homemakers By Choice), a national organization which offers weekly teaching for a new generation of "counter culture" women who have made the choice to stay at home. To hundreds of young homemakers, Donna has been the wise, fun, Godly Aunt every young woman wishes she had. Each teaching session encourages women in their role as a woman, wife, mother, and keeper of the home.
Today’s Material: A Prayer for Christmas Morning, VanDyke – The Story of the Nativity, Luke 2:1-7 Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares
Today’s Material: God’s Promise of Christs Coming, Isaiah 9:6 Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful
Today’s Material: The Best Christmas, Sibley & A Radiant Birth Advent Readings for a Bright Season Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares
Today’s Material: Great Joy, DiCamillo Good News of Great Joy Advent Collection, Vincent Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books,
Today’s Material: Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room, Ted Wueste Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and
Today’s Material: Watch for the Light, Thomas Merton Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights
Today’s Material: The Nutcracker Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during this joyous advent
Today’s Material: The Christmas Stories of George MacDonald Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights
Today’s Material: Home for Christmas, Anthology Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during this
Today’s Material: Corrie’s Christmas Memories – Corrie Ten Boom Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful
Today’s Material: The Tale of Three Trees – Angela Elwell Hunt Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages,
Today’s Material: Pauses for Advent – Trevor Hudson Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights
Today’s Material: The Gift of the Magi Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during
Today’s Material: God is in the Manger – Bonhoeffer Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful
Today’s Material: The Little Fir Tree Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during this
Today’s Material: Messiah – page 31 Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during this
Today’s Material: The Fourth Wise Man Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during this
Today’s Material: Glad Tidings of Great Joy Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during
Today’s Material: The Greatest Gift – Pages 210-211 Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights
Today’s Material: The Polar Express Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during this joyous
Today’s Material: A Cup of Christmas Tea Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during
Today’s Material: Spiritual Formation Society of AZ Welcome to “Advent Reflections with Donna Otto,” a special podcast series where Donna shares her favorite books, meaningful passages, and thoughtful insights during
Eugene Peterson says, “The human, in another definition, is a creature who prays.” Prayers are tools for becoming and being our best self. The Psalms are not necessary for salvation,
Eugene Peterson says, “The human, in another definition, is a creature who prays.” Prayers are tools for becoming and being our best self. The Psalms are not necessary for salvation,
Eugene Peterson says, “The human, in another definition, is a creature who prays.” Prayers are tools for becoming and being our best self. The Psalms are not necessary for salvation,
Psalms are intimate. They lead you to a closeness to God. The book mostly contains poems and sentiments of the heart. Slow down your pace when reading to allow the
Listen with us today, as we hear a testimony from a woman who chose to stay and how the Lord has blessed her.
Who is the church? Why did we change the church? We were created to live in community. Listen today for our view on why we should stay in church and
There are different types of friendships from casual to deep and holy relationships. Friendships are a sweet gift from God. We are commanded to love God and love others. Three
Finances are mentioned 2,800 in the Bible. The Bible calls us to store up our treasures in heaven and not treasure something other than God. God owns it all. C.S.
In this complicated, confusing world, every answer can be found in the Bible. Any questions you have regarding moral value, instructional value, or “what-should-I-do” can be found in the truth
Teaching vs training. Teaching happens in your head: teaching and training building on truths, imparting knowledge and principle. Training involves the will: directing observable behavior. Both must be present,
Staying is a process that includes training and teaching your children. Children are not small adults, our children look to us to help build their self-concept. God gave you his
Forgiveness is laying down of oneself. Forgiveness has three steps: 1) Putting away the offense; 2) Graciously accepting the present; 3) Trusting for the future. Do not offer or receive
Join us as we continue to our series on Staying. Staying home as a full time mom is a high call on a woman’s life. Listen as Donna teaches on
What is a home of faith? Join us as Donna discusses practical steps to creating and staying in a home of faith. A home where the parents receive and follow
Continue with Donna in her series on Staying. Staying in marriage until death do you part.
Four key elements to help us stay after the wedding: 1)The institution of marriage, 2)Forgiveness & Reconciliation, 3)Respect, 4)Acceptance. 1 John 1:9; Romans 5:1
God did not want us to be alone, he gave Eve to Adam. God gave you your spouse. He wants you to be one with your spouse, His design is
Reading in Revelation, a letter to seven churches correlating to staying. It’s not in an easy order or easy to understand. It was a letter of encouragement and judgment. John
It takes endurance to stay the course. Endurance requires a commitment. Endurance requires being uncomfortable. Endurance requires preparation. 2 Corinthians 1
Introduction to a new study on Staying. In this disposable-minded society, Donna teaches on the idea of staying. Staying in whatever God is calling you too. Getting there, being there
Re-air: Donna mentions a book she picked up called “Present Over Perfect”. Perfectionism can keep us from living in the present and being there for the people in our lives.
Psalm 30 is a psalm of thanksgiving written by King David, probably giving thanks for the temple. We are the temple where God resides and Donna reminds us that God’s
Re-air: Ephesians 5 gives husbands and wives clear instructions on how to do marriage. Women are to respect their husbands and men are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. When we disrespect our husbands, we are disrespecting the very image of God. Take notes, as Donna gives great advice on ways to go about respecting husbands.
Re-air:Colossians 3:12 reminds us to clothe ourselves in kindness, which is more and more uncommon in our culture. Jesus modeled kindness and always had time to heal someone or spend time with them. Donna encourages us to make kindness a way of life, especially with our husbands.
Re-air: More with Lars Gren, 3rd husband of Elisabeth Elliot, who shares his favorite book written by Elisabeth and reads an excerpt from “No Graven Image.”
Re-air: If you want your future to look different, do the hard work that it takes to build a future for yourself. Think of a phrase or word to guide
Re-air: The Lord calls us to be the shepherd of our children. As shepherds, we moms are called to protect our children from the bad in the world and to
Re-air: We must trust our lives to the work of the Holy Spirit and show kindness to everyone in our world. Donna shares a snippet of the kindness series that
Re-air: Pray more this summer! “Prayer is the only power to which God surrenders.” God has called us to be in communion with Him through the power of prayer.
Re-air: Children need to learn to work under some authority. You, as their teacher, will prepare your children to have a sense of accomplishment when they learn, and carry out,
Re-air: God has rescued you from the powers of darkness, gives you a clean slate, and pours out His love on you!
Donna continues giving us the sequence of verses in the Bible which assure us that God is for us and we know that WE HAVE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE! You will want to use your Bible and take notes.
RE-air: Even when you think you have failed, God is for you and YOU HAVE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE!
You will want to use your Bible and take notes for this lesson on sequencing several Bible verses which will teach you of the unconditional love of your Heavenly Father and unlimited access to God!
James 2:23 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness–and he was called a friend of God.” What does it mean to be in a friendship with
You have to choose your friendships carefully. Have you heard the phrase, “you are who you hang out with?” Once you choose, make a commitment of consistent care. Care looks different for all of us. Friendships are precious, take care of them well. Get Friendship Scripture and Quotes here.
We encourage you to invite your spouse to listen with you. We are given the commandment to love others as we love ourselves. How do you view becoming one? You each become a new creation together. Cleaving is a two-step: step 1, love God, step 2, love others. Gen 2:24-25; 1 john 4:19-21; Lev 19:18; James 4:7-8; Matt 19:5; 1 Tim 2:1-15; Eph 5:21-33
Model your finances for your children, they learn more by watching than teaching. God owns everything and calls us to steward it. God wants us to work. Business isn’t always good work, ask God where he wants you to work. God asks us not to be in debt. God tells us to be honest, do not lie and do not steal. Book: ABCs of Handling Money God’s Way by Howard and Bev Dayton
Listen to an example of a mentor/mentee session with Donna and Gracie. Enter Giveaway Here!
Today we are encouraging you to share your experience with other women as a Mentor or as a daughter of the heart. The word ministry means serving; the nature of
Being a mentor does not require perfection or authority. You only need to be available. Do what you can do and do the next thing.
At the core of mentoring, being the mentor or being the receiver of mentoring, is relationship. No harder work than engaging in a relationship. You have to continuously work on
Do you have a hard time finding rest if your home is a mess? Use the simple tool of “Throw away, give away or put away” to find your way
Are you a person that struggles with clutter in your home or in your life? Donna has tips for organizing your home. Here are a few: To purchase Secrets to
Attachment is cleaving, it is hesed. Hesed is a Hebrew word that means ‘kindness or love between people’, specifically of the devotional piety of people towards God as well as
If we say you love Jesus and we don’t love one another, are we really loving Jesus? As a believer, we should be known by our love. Acceptance is defined
The book of Job, chapters 1&2. Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him. Job was blameless, upright and feared God; turning away from evil. When all was taken,
Proverbs is a book of wisdom, not of surety. The only assurance IS wisdom. Wisdom is a part of creation, wisdom makes life work. When there is no right or
As homemakers you are doing a great work. Sometimes we wonder will our kids always be in our home, will they ever go away? They will, they will grow. Come and be reminded of the great work you are doing. Nehemiah 6:3.
The table is the center of your home’s universe. Do you have at least one meal per day as a family at the table? Make it a priority and the
Today we invite you to ponder and meditate on the last seven words of Christ: 1: Luke 23:34 2 Luk 23:42-43 3 John 19: 25-26 4 Matthew 27:46 5 John
Heart, Humility and Honor Heart: Luke 19:28-44; Matters of the heart of Christ John 17:11 Humility: Phil 2:1-4 living life in a submissive way; Selfless ambition; Reduction of pride Honor:
Week of Weeks or Holy Week; join us to discuss a day by day study for holy week. How intentional are you? If you ask God for direction, are you
The final stretch of Lent, we hope you’re finishing well. Week of weeks start Palm Sunday and ends with resurrection Sunday. Mark 11, Matt 26, Luke 24. Get the Resource
We’ve made it to Palm Sunday! Donna recorded this series in 2012, so some ideas for activities will need to be adjusted for the times we are living in, but
Listen up! God is in hot pursuit of each one of us!! Let this lesson on the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, a/k/a
“Hospitality is being open love.” Hospitality is inspiring whereas entertainment is exhausting. Hospitality is in your eye, your hands and your heart; keep them open. 1 Kings 17:7-24; Rom 10:24
Two words: Repentance and Humility. Donna focuses on what repentance and humility may look like in the lives of Christ followers.
The work of Modern Homemakers, formerly Homemakers By Choice, is a labor of love. Donna has been teaching and mentoring women for decades! Our website, modernhomemakers.org, has so much to
What does Ministry really mean? Do you feel like your home is a place of ministry? It is! God does his work from the inside out, from the simple to
Do you read your Bible? Donna focuses on the Word of God in this message and wants us to grow in the Lord by reading His Word every day.
Donna suggests a plethora of activities that you can do with your family in preparing your homes and hearts for Easter. You can make a set of Resurrection Eggs or
Lent is a time for pausing. Pause for celebration. Pause to catch up to yourself. Come and learn practical tools for pausing. *Resource: Forty Words to Pause by Trevor Hudson
Teaching an infant or small child to ‘wait happily’ to have their needs met is not usually a mom’s first reaction to the cries of their little ones. Donna refers
Forgiveness is a way of preparing our hearts for Easter. Donna urges us to make forgiveness a way of life.
Donna Otto continues to teach us from her book, Finding your Purpose as Mom. We learn that Hospitality is love, letting yourself love and be loved. Where love resides we
If you’ve ever longed to be creative, Donna is here to teach you how that can happen, even if you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body!
Prayers are NEVER a waste of time. We want to spend more time in prayer but have trouble finding the time to set aside for it. It’s a process that
What is your wilderness? Christ went to the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. When you spend time fasting (not necessarily from food) and preparing your heart during Lent, you
What are we doing with our time during Lent? Are you adding practices or taking them away? Lent opens a pathway to more time; time with your thoughts, time with
There are 47 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday, but we traditionally only count Monday through Saturday each week, which adds up to 40 days of Lent (in commemoration
Let’s eat in the dining room to celebrate! The dining room is a set part of life. Eating together is essential. There is power in coming together around one table.
Lent is a time of self-examination. Prepare your hearts to allow God to do His work in your lives.
This series is originally from Lent 2012. Donna reminds us that God allowed Jesus to be the sacrifice for our wrong-doings. Join us in our time of preparation for Easter,
In the plot to kill Jesus, there were events leading up to that day, among them when Mary anointed Jesus with very expensive oil, which Judas criticized. Mary was being
Our journey continues toward Easter. There is a free resource on our web site for you to refer to which includes a scripture a day, as well as a list
This series, re-aired from 2012, will help you and your family walk through Lent with a better understanding of what Jesus experienced, such as fasting and being tempted by Satan.
Do you have anything around your house that reminds you of a loved one? Learn to use everyday objects to remind you to prepare your heart for Easter.
Do you identify with Jesus because of what He did on the cross? As we prepare for Easter during this season of Lent, let’s work toward a heart transformation.
Easter tends to be the least celebrated holiday. People tend to give more focus on spring: bunnies, eggs, flowers, etc. But Easter is a sacred time. Matt 24-25
Lent is a time of self-examination and preparing for the holiest of days… Resurrection Sunday! In this series, which last aired in 2012, Donna will help us with the tools
Prepare you heart and home for Easter. God wants to reconnect with you! Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51:3-6
Donna teaches from Haggai to remind us to consider your ways. A great challenge and great wisdom
Donna talks on Discovering the Power of Kindness. Dr Barry H. Corey has written a book, “Love Kindness” Kindness has become uncommon, Love kindness. Col 3:12, Psalm 141:5, Micah 6:6-8,
Decluttering is painful, because clutter can be addicting and comforting. We have to practice getting rid of things. Donna has tips for lessifying your life by getting organized.
God has called us to be good stewards, and “going green” is one way of ‘lessifying’ your life and having fewer complications or distractions. This is NOT your ordinary decluttering
Mentoring is one of the subjects of this collection of topics which Donna covers. Donna’s definition of mentoring is “giving your life perspective away.” Our mentor also gives us 30
This is one lesson you will want the entire family to hear! Get ready to take notes! Our sin nature is to hoard and want more, but Donna gives sound
Young children and older children, alike, should be helping with household chores and it’s never too late to teach them the principles of organization which Donna teaches us. Kids should
With Donna’s storage system and method of organizing, you can free yourself of all the clutter in areas where you tend to store or hide stuff. When it comes to
More organization advice from Donna on making your master bedroom a sanctuary where you both want to spend time in a clean, orderly, relaxing, space. Donna also gives great tips
Donna reminds us that PREPARATION is the key to ORGANIZATION! If you want to be more organized, try developing a couple of the habits mentioned by Donna. She covers the
Donna has always said that PREPARATION is the key to ORGANIZATION, and she believes that PRIORITIZING tasks is important. The Organizational Seminar, Secrets to Getting More Done online videos can
The Girlfriends are back and talking about Spring cleaning. Be a good steward of what you have and clear out anything that you have not used in years. Attachment to
Make your home a peaceful space for your family. Finishing the series on decluttering. (Re-air)
Do you have holes in your net? Psalm 130, Mark 1:19, Matt 4:21, 1Cor. 1:10, 1Peter 5:10
Our year of Listening podcasts are coming to an end. You want to make sure not to miss this one!!
Galatians 6:15, Acts 4:32-37 Signs and miracles. God is ultimately in charge, listen to your Father and He will lead you.
Matt 11:15, Isaiah 6:9, 1 Sam 7&12, Mark 8:10, Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2, Psalm 139, Psalm 51:6 How do we listen?
Donna reads Power of Mother by Dannae Pierre taken from her book, Healoing Prayers and Meditations
Eph 4:14-15, Heb 5:11-14, Do not be dull of hearing. Above all things do we desire spiritual maturity?
Would you agree with the statement, “all great spirituality is about letting go”? Listen to hear what Donna thinks!
Do you listen to people’s story? Ask questions that make them give you questions to get to know them.
Acts 12:1 & 2 How can owe be happy together? Listening to each other would be a good start. Listen to hear Donna’s special offer!!
These women were so strong and in such difficult circumstances. What can we learn from them?
What are you excessively attached to? Let’s listen to see what it says in Galatians and 1Timothy about this topic.
Donna was given a special book called, God Guides by Mary Geegh. Listen to hear her insights.
Luke 2:21-35 Contemplate what Christmas is all about. He has a well laid plan for your life.
Power of the Table, Christmas edition. Proverbs 24:3-4, 14:1; Psalm 23 The importance of the table is all through the Bible
Matt 2:11 Invite Jesus into your day today, as He invites us in to do life side by side.
Matt 11, Come and stay, Donna’s favorite 2 words. Hear how Mary and Elisabeth were both listening to the Lord.
Luke 1 & 2 Is God inviting you to say yes to something? Are you listening for His invitations?
What are you building? The wise woman builds up her house. Proverbs 14:1-2, Proverbs 24:3, 1Cor.3:10
Remember Christ’s birth is WHY we do all this. Preparation will allow space for you to enjoy this season.
It’s that time of year again! We are entering the holiday season. How are you preparing?
Kindness is a choice. Are we teaching our children good manners? Do we have manners? James 2:1-9, 2 Timothy1:15-18
…..looking for limitations. Luke 4:1-13, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness. Where is He leading you?
Why stay home? 2 Tim 3:16. Donna will explain this concept as well as give you the needed tools.
What does loving discipline look like? Donna dives a little further into Dr. Ross Campbell’s book, How to Really Love Your Child.
Donna is using Dr. Ross Campbell’s book to share some amazing information on how we can love our children in a way that makes them secure in our love. Matt.
Donna’s practical steps to getting your entire kitchen organized in 3 hours, only 15 mins at a time! You CAN be ready for the holidays.
Job 13:15, Donna talks about the amazing man that Job was. Do you TRUST God with EVERYTHING??
Donna reads 2 Corinthians 1:5-6, straying from Listening just a bit to include some topics that go hand in hand with Listening.
“Come away and rest awhile” the rest of Ruth Haley Barton’s list of what makes us exhausted.
Donna shares Ruth Haley Barton’s culture of exhaustion that we seem to live in. Let’s get out of this cycle and get rested.
Deut. 6:4-9, Faith comes from Hearing. Are you a servant listener? Let’s learn how to improve on our listening skills.
Pick up tips from Donna on how to listen through scripture. Psalm 15:29, hearing His voice. Join us for this impactful lesson.
A listening person makes a difference in every environment. Listen to Donna tell us again how to be good listeners. Mark 10:46-52
Do you listen for God to speak to you, BEFORE you speak? Mark 11:14-17 Proverbs 18:13-15 for practical advice. What are your distractions? Listen to Donna encourage us to listen
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Matt. 26:41 Listen to Donna talk about being vulnerable and willing to listen to our Heavenly Father about what and where
Are you a “ful” or an “ing”? Listen to Donna to find out how to be an “ing” As you listen to your Heavenly Father, something to think about.
This is this year’s theme. Donna shares from Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.” How can we balance God’s demands? Listen to hear the answer to
Welcome back, Donna missed you this summer. Did you join her in the Summer Challenge? Listen to hear what Donna did. This year’s theme is………..Listening for Love and Learning
As summer is winding down, and kids are going back to school, we hope you are doing well. Remember to write in with any prayer requests or questions at admin@modernhomemakers.org
RE-AIR………Donna continues her teaching on Family. Be an example of honesty that affects the next 4 generations!
You are probably spending a bit more time with your family this summer, what is family??? Listen today!
Join Donna in her challenge for herself this summer. She hopes you will join her in enriching in enriching your soil. This lesson is taken from Mark 4:1-20.
We want clean hearts and pure hearts as we person towards the goal of seeking the Lord.
Today Donna is teaching out of Ephesians 6. It’s always good to prepare but if you find yourself there and didn’t prepare……it’s ok. Donna has some things you can do
Wouldn’t you think this would just come naturally? Well…….Donna shares with us on how to REALLY love your children.
Donna reads an amazing excerpt by Barbara Johnson, from her book, “Loving Life as as at-home Mom.”
How can we guide our children to a place where they want to choose God, for themselves?
Listeners had questions on Anger, so Donna took the time to answer 5 questions. We love when listeners write in!
Listen to Donna share the wonderful description of a minister. We are high officers and hold great responsibility of our, self contained units!
Donna reads Mathew 6:24-34 out of the NAS version. We are continuing in our Sermon on the Mount series. Seek first His Kingdom……….for everything! How can we truly depend on
Join us as Donna wraps up this series on Anger. Great tools for doing life in our anger-filled culture.
Anger is really about You!……..OUCH!! Keep listening to our Anger series and soak in this inspiring information to live a counter-culture life.
God will provide the justice for our anger. We can get angry, but sin Not! Let’s not hold on to our anger or let it consume us. Listen to Donna’s
Anger is in every temperament, but looks different in all of us. Anger can kill our bodies and our relationships. Let’s work to help the next generation handle their anger
Donna teaches out of Mathew 5:21-26. Just a few verses with so much punch in them. Can you recognize your own anger? Do you take that first flash of it
Listen to Donna as she reads through 1 Peter 4:8-9, in 2 different translations. While Jesus asks us to come stay with Him, He also wants us to follow His
We continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount in Mathew, Chapter 5:38-42. Do we respond with love and kindness when we receive a personal insult, are threatened with
Do you hang out with Jesus? It hard to not be your real self with someone when you are just hanging out. Listen to Donna share on this topic of
Isn’t wonderful to hear that Jesus has a heart for me and that He loves and wants to comfort me. Listen to what wonderful things Donna has to share with
Donna shares 3 Thoughts on being mindful. Endurance, Wisdom of physical habits and Spiritual practice of remembering. Righteousness is about remembering our choices. Listen to what Donna has to share
With the current climate of our culture, we thought it would be nice to revisit, loving our enemies. How do we do this? Seems we could all use a little
Hear from Donna what stood out to her during this lenten season. What is it to be “child-like”? Mathew 18:3. In Mark 10:16-18, Jesus says, “let them come freely” It’s
These words are found in the book of Luke and also in Psalm 31:5. We are being called to “let go” in the process of sacrificing and suffering as we
Are you working on something you’ve been called to do? We can learn from Jesus’ life here on earth. He walked through an amazing sequence of small events to get
Jesus always quenches our thirst. Do we ask Him? Go to Him? Donna shares with us how we CAN hear the voice of God. How we CAN abide with Him
We’ve made it to Palm Sunday! Donna recorded this series in 2012, so some ideas for activities will need to be adjusted for the times we are living in, but
Listen up! God is in hot pursuit of each one of us!! Let this lesson on the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, a/k/a
Practice, Practice, Practice. Continue in our study of Mathew Chapter 5. Donna teaches on Marriage, Speech, Oaths and Integrity from the Sermon on the Mount.
Two words: Repentance and Humility. Donna focuses on what repentance and humility may look like in the lives of Christ followers.
The work of Modern Homemakers, formerly Homemakers By Choice, is a labor of love. Donna has been teaching and mentoring women for decades! Our website, modernhomemakers.org, has so much to
Do you read your Bible? Donna focuses on the Word of God in this message and wants us to grow in the Lord by reading His Word every day.
Donna suggests a plethora of activities that you can do with your family in preparing your homes and hearts for Easter. You can make a set of Resurrection Eggs or
Teaching an infant or small child to ‘wait happily’ to have their needs met is not usually a mom’s first reaction to the cries of their little ones. Donna refers
Forgiveness is a way of preparing our hearts for Easter. Donna urges us to make forgiveness a way of life.
If you’ve ever longed to be creative, Donna is here to teach you how that can happen, even if you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body!
Donna shares about the endurance that Jesus showed us as he kept walking. His walk to the cross. Then she shares His first statement from the seven statements He makes
Prayers are NEVER a waste of time. We want to spend more time in prayer but have trouble finding the time to set aside for it. It’s a process that
What is your wilderness? Christ went to the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. When you spend time fasting (not necessarily from food) and preparing your heart during Lent, you
Plan on doing some of the activities that Donna suggests to help your families be ready for the holiest of weeks, Easter week! Start now to have all the items
There are 47 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday, but we traditionally only count Monday through Saturday each week, which adds up to 40 days of Lent (in commemoration
In Matthew 16, where Peter learns that Jesus will die, Peter refuses to believe that it will be so. He is a stumbling block to what Jesus came to do,
Lent is a time of self-examination. Prepare your hearts to allow God to do His work in your lives.
This series is originally from Lent 2012. Donna reminds us that God allowed Jesus to be the sacrifice for our wrong-doings. Join us in our time of preparation for Easter,
In the plot to kill Jesus, there were events leading up to that day, among them when Mary anointed Jesus with very expensive oil, which Judas criticized. Mary was being
Our journey continues toward Easter. There is a free resource on our web site for you to refer to which includes a scripture a day, as well as a list
This series, re-aired from 2012, will help you and your family walk through Lent with a better understanding of what Jesus experienced, such as fasting and being tempted by Satan.
Fasting is a self-denial of normal necessities. We fast in order to intentionally attend to God with prayer. Lent is a season when we fast from certain actions or physical
Do you identify with Jesus because of what He did on the cross? As we prepare for Easter during this season of Lent, let’s work toward a heart transformation.
Lent is a time of self-examination and preparing for the holiest of days… Resurrection Sunday! In this series, which last aired in 2012, Donna will help us with the tools
God’s grace calls us into a relationship with Him. Where we are weak, grace abounds. Look to the truth for the changes that heal.
A very important aspect of our walk of faith is solidarity. Christ identified with us and our human struggles, when he walked among us. Donna gave a heart-warming example of
Psalm 15, which Donna refers to as “The Christian Constitution,” speaks of the character of Christ. There are 9 statements revealing what it looks like to be a Christian.
What you say flows from what is in your heart. Taming the tongue is a difficult thing to do, but when we become intentional about what we say and how
This sweet short story by Max Lucado packs a powerful message to all who are raising children and need to be reminded that our Heavenly Father wants to spend time
We spend a good deal of time on our devices, but where is our content coming from, and what are we looking at? Then, what kind of posts or comments
How is your foundation? Are you a hearer or doer of the Word? Donna explains the only parable found in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew.
Are you what you do OR are you doing who you are? God has given each of us a purpose, and we need to lean into Him and stay close
Are you honest with God, yourself and others? God knows your secret heart, so allow Him to transform you with His Word.
Being courteous is when we are attentive to the needs of those around us, whether it in the grocery store, or while driving, or in our homes or work places.
Elijah was a prophet who experienced God’s provision and obeyed God’s call on his life.
Listening is an art, a choice, and a gift! Donna offers us 10 ways to become a better listener.
After the attack on the US Capitol, Donna asks, “What does it mean to be a Jesus follower?” We have to remember that Jesus is first, not America or any
Years ago, when Donna was approached by a group of women asking her to mentor them, she originally said, “No!” After some time passed and they asked her again, she
What makes you smile? What sparks you? Is it the light of Christ? Donna talks about how Mother Teresa lived in utter groundedness and constant risk taking as a ‘missionary
The new covenant commands us to love God and love others. Making sacrifices every day for those who God has placed in our lives is the kind of love expected
Donna is grateful for all the support received by Modern Homemakers! She also welcomes all suggestions for topics you would like more teaching on. Amy Carmichael was a missionary in
Despite all the hardships of 2020 and living through a pandemic, there is much to reflect on and be grateful for. Donna urges all of us to set goals and
Donna shares the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written by him before he was martyred, from an Advent devotional that she has been reading. Waiting is one of the central themes
God iterates or repeats His messages to us throughout His word. Don’t let the repetitiveness or the familiarity of His story keep you from re-reading it over and over again.
God asked Adam and Eve when they were hiding in the garden, “Where are you?” There is not a single place we can hide from God, no matter where we
Select some activities to do with your family (if you don’t have time to do one per day) and prepare your hearts for the birth of our Savior.
Be stewards of what God has given you to bring honor and glory to Him and to build your heavenly home.
Your children need to know that you are living authentically, and not trying to project an image which leads to duplicity and hypocrisy. Be consistent in teaching the small things
Our nation is hurting; we, as the church, are hurting, but we can unify and heal. When we come to repentance, we will find forgiveness.
Do your children know what your family stands for? Do you teach them to always tell the truth? They are watching you and they will model your behavior.
No matter what type of school your child is in, or even if you home school, education begins in the home. Help your children be curious about everything, teach them
Do you notice those around you who are in the storms of life? A family grows together when they come together and help each other through an illness or a
Donna starts out with tips on freezing fresh food, and then reflects on looking at politics through the lens of faith.
How we deal with and talk to our children about the issues we face these days makes a real difference in our families. In Colossians 3, God defines the family
Every family has rules whether they are written down or unspoken. Here are the rules of rulemaking!
Home should be loving, accepting, a safe place, a growing place, a shelter, and where memories are made with the ones we love the most!
Donna has drawn inspiration from Christian evangelist and missionary, George Müller, who ran an orphanage in England for children. George never asked anyone for money, instead he prayed to God
The Family is so many things to its members: a safe harbor, a place to grow in relationships, where we create lasting memories…and it is ever changing.
Francis and Edith Schaeffer were evangelical missionaries who founded L’Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers, and each authored many books, which Donna encourages us to read. Donna intro- duces
We can learn a lot from this passage in Nehemiah 4. In rebuilding the wall, Nehemiah and his people labored with one hand and in the other they held a
The life of Isaac was simple, yet essential. Nehemiah encountered ridicule, but he countered with prayer!
Susanna Wesley is referred to the Mother of Methodism because of the way she taught her methods to her sons, Charles and John, who started the Methodist Church. The youngest
Consider your prayers… 1 Samuel 1 tells us the story of Hannah who prayed for a son who she would ‘sacrificially’ give back to God.
Faith? or Fear? Donna references Galatians 3:1-5. The Galatians, who had come to know Christ, were fearful about what was going on in their community and world, just as many
Are you sharing Christ with others in your life? Use the power of the Holy Spirit in you to bear fruit by giving yourself to people in your life. In
Do you desire to keep the greatest commandment? This important message gives us the guidelines to “lean against the pressures that the world is pushing at us” and to live
What happens when you think something is going to be easy, but it’s not? With so much contempt in our country and world, as Christ followers, we are still called
Donna has known Ted since he was a teenager, and has walked alongside him on his spiritual journey. Now, as the director of the Spiritual Formation Society of AZ, Ted
The sweetest friendship grew out of Marian’s obedience to God when, even though it was hard to leave the only place she had ever lived, her family had to move
Julie, Crystal, Sherri and Nancy join Donna and share a little about themselves and why they serve on the Podcast Team. Donna would like to give each of them the
Donna’s dear friend, Dr. Sandra Wilson, is a retired counselor and author of many books, including “Hurt People Hurt People” and “Into Abba’s Arms.”
Donna’s friend, Adele Calhoun, recalls the early days of their friendship and how a mutual friend introduced them. Adele is a wife, pastor, author and spiritual director, among other things.
Donna ended the year with Enriching your soil from Mark 4. Did you sort out the tangles and untie the knots as Eugene Peterson says? This show is about Donna’s
Donna and Joan share giggles, memories, love of God and family. These two friends, who are dear sisters in Christ, have been there for each other through thick and thin.
“Friendship goes both ways” is a list made by one friend, inspired by another friend, which Donna has used to improve her own friendships and we can do the same.
Do you have a desire to please God? Reading or listening to The Word, reflecting on it, letting The Word touch your heart, and contemplating on The Word are ways
Abraham was called God’s friend. James 2:23 NIV Who is your ‘middle of the night friend’ you can call when you are in need? Donna will be introducing us to
Knowing the contents of God’s Word and why He wrote it, and that Jesus is in the book from Genesis to Revelation, is an important part of YOUR foundation. And
Emilie went home to Jesus 4 years ago today, and Donna honors her memory with sweet recollections of their friendship.
When you watch the news, do you let the opinions of the news station influence how you think? What about when you go to church? Be a “thinking woman” and
Galatians 1:10, NLT: “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” This is
Donna shares the sweet story of the people in her life who were her Sunday School teachers and mentors. Are there people in your life who you can influence for
Take it from the one who wrote the book, “Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time!” Donna shares several tips on keeping a clean home.
“Put it back where you got it from!” is one of the many Otto Mottos that Donna has lived by and has taught us over the years. Start at the
Learn something personal about Donna and her creative side, as she recounts when she first learned to knit and how it changed her.
The 12 Principles that Donna has taught in this 2 part series on money will be on the Modern Homemakers web site.
Donna gives us practical tools for training our children to use God’s gift of money for His purposes, including hands-on activities teaching financial principles. The “ABCs of Handling Money God’s
Donna offers many ideas for training your children in the area of money. Children model us, good or bad! Showing thankfulness and being hospitable are 2 of the many ways
What is your posture when it comes to training your children about money? Parents need to lead by example and teach that God owns all the gold and silver and
God is still on the throne! Trust Him with your finances and listen to Him when it comes to stewarding the gifts He has given you. Go to ThriveInLoveAndMoney.com to
Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn learned very important concepts about the ways men and women are different when it comes to money and they spell those ways out in their new
You will see by Donna’s illustration, with all the pennies she saved for many years she was able to purchase her daughter’s wedding gown, that every penny does indeed matter!
There is no subject that God didn’t cover in his Word, and friendship is no exception! The Otto Motto: You Are Who You Hang Out With is one that Donna
Are there quotes that resonate with you? Or books you want to read? Maybe you have written down your testimony, life goals, or family mission statement. Donna talks about stuffing
Is your home a place of hospitality? To minister to your family is to serve them. Teach your children to serve others.
The kitchen is more than a room to cook in. It is also a room where charity takes place. Charity is not only giving to the poor, but it also
Humans love ceremony! Even if you don’t have a formal dining room, make meal time a special occasion as often as you can for your family. Donna has many suggestions
When Elisabeth Elliot died 5 years ago, Donna found among her belongings a graduation speech that Elisabeth wrote in 1974 and delivered at Eastern University. It’s message is timeless, and
It is such a beautiful thing when you can get a glimpse into the heart of a truly humble follower of Jesus, as Donna was privileged to do as a
Mentoring a younger woman is to share your experiences and wisdom, your time and energy. That’s what Elisabeth Elliot was to Donna Otto, and what Donna is to the younger
The friendship between Donna and Elisabeth Elliot was more like a mother/daughter relationship, and Donna shares her eulogy that she gave at EE’s memorial 5 years ago. Being taught and
If you enter your house or bring guests through the front door, is it a welcoming space? Many of us come and go through the garage into the house, but
Donna offers practical ways to make your home a haven of peace, where everyone in your family will want to be at the end of a long day. Try to
Are you taking seriously the ways God is desiring to transform you (especially in this time of the pandemic)? The quote, “We are not yet what we shall be, but
Within our own four walls, as a family, we owe our lives to one another and we lay down our lives for each another.
Your “YES” to Christ makes you and your home Holy Ground! “The beauty of the house is order. The blessing of the house is contentment. The glory of the house is hospitality. The crown
Home is Holy Ground and it begins with you! Make your home welcoming so that you can glorify God with how your family makes memories there or when you have
We have been spending a lot more time in our homes during this pandemic. How and what do you want your home to be? Donna has free printable tools for
Nobody wants suffering in their lives, but we live in a fallen world where suffering is inevitable. Christ suffered and died for us. We must share in Christ’s sufferings in
Whether forced by the pandemic or not, making changes in our lives can expand us, but growth takes time and discipline. God is always wooing and pursuing us, and desires
You may be living through a difficult time right now, on top of what everyone is going through during the pandemic. Donna recalls seeing the play “Hamilton” with her grandson,
How can we be joyful during this difficult time? Our JOY comes from the Lord and we must recognize it to get through any difficulty. We are being refined and
Ruth is a woman of courage who did the opposite of what anyone else would have done. She made a choice instead of feeling like she was choiceness. Bathsheba was
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” CS Lewis “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the
“Adoration is the spontaneous yearning of the heart to worship, honor, magnify, and bless God. We ask nothing but to cherish him. We seek nothing but his exaltation. We focus
Ask yourself, “Am I living water or stagnant water?” There are 3 things you can do to become “living water.” 1. Learn His voice, 2. Abide in His love, and
What are you doing with your hands? Those of us who are having to stay at home during this pandemic, don’t miss what God is calling you to do. Jesus
Jesus cared for his mother, even from the cross! He creates new families among those who love him. God is giving us opportunities and calling us during the crisis of
As the prodigal son came to his senses and went home to ask forgiveness, we, too, can humble ourselves and ask forgiveness from our Heavenly Father and be free from
During this time of an extended quarantine, while you have your kids under your roof, teach them to value Self, Stuff and Others, and, most importantly, teach them to value
What has been cancelled or postponed in your life? Donna helps us deal with disappointment and teaches us how to live courageously!
Life as we now know it in March 2020 is going to take sacrifice, cooperation and patience for things to turn back around. We must ‘do the next thing’ and
Even though this is titled Seven Last Words, Donna indicates that she will cover the Seven Last Statements of Jesus over 7 podcasts. Take this time to prepare your hearts
Amy and Donna discuss having a plan, or a blueprint, for raising confident, responsible, respectful kids. With God’s plan, parenting will still be challenging, but will be less of a
You can pick and choose from the ideas Donna mentions and help your kids learn all about the sacrifice of Jesus.
We have lived through viral pandemics before. When most of the world is caught up in the fear of what may happen due to the Coronavirus, we as Christians are
Holly DelHousaye has mentored countless women over the years. She wrote The Soul Work Guide to Life, a self-guided workbook ‘that will help you focus on your unique contribution to
Readying your heart for Easter should include spending time in the Word, which means slowing down and doing LESS during this season so you have MORE time with the Lord.
Scripture calls us to ‘abide’ or to stay in our marriages. It may be unpleasant at times, but God is doing a work in our lives to bear fruit, just
When Crystal stopped trying to ‘fix’ her husband, and instead lay him at the feet of Christ, she had a break-through! They reconciled and now have great joy in their
When Crystal’s marriage started to unravel she was devastated. She now realizes she was stuck trying to figure out “why” this was happening, but her faith in God and several
Lent, a time set apart by the church, starts with Ash Wednesday and is a time to reflect, as Jesus did in the wilderness. It is a time to pray
With Spring on the horizon, get some Spring cleaning underway with Donna’s ‘clutter-proof’ principles on getting organized in all areas of your home.
In a culture where there is a lack of civility, be the change you want to see by loving your neighbor; love the person, even if you don’t like their
Christ calls us to UNITY! If we are united with Christ, we can be in unity with our fellow man. Unity always trumps diversity!
Jesus radically forgave his enemies and did it in a ‘quiet’ way. When we are hurried, and have overbooked our schedule, we are more likely to become annoyed or angry
Americans have lost civility and have become contemptuous. Donna wants to know your opinion about the ‘things she’s been thinking about’ such as politics, the impeachment proceedings, the State of
Elisabeth Elliot’s wise counsel on forgiveness comes from her experience of forgiving the people who murdered her husband and 4 of his colleagues in Ecuador. She said, “Forgiveness is a
How many times are we instructed to forgive? 70 x 7? It’s not about a ‘number’ as much as it is about the fact that there is no limit to
Andrea talks about the acceptance of living with chronic illness and the ways that she has found to listen to God’s voice instead of the critical voices in her head.
Donna’s special guest is Jessica Hodge, a worship leader at a local Phoenix church, who shares with us the ways that she has developed a deeper prayer life and some
In Luke 7, a ‘sinner woman’ washes Jesus’ feet with expensive oil and dries his feet with her hair. She is forgiven of all her sins because of her act
Have you set a resolution for the new year? What has God been calling you to do? Forgive what has happened to you in the past because that will accomplish
David Otto is one of the Voices of Modern Homemakers and reads a selection that will remind us just WHO is the reason for the season! Keep Jesus in your
In this excerpt from “The Call of Christmas Anthem” by The Skit Guys, we learn that we are called to be prepared for interruptions that we do not expect in
As we get older and our kids grow and don’t need us as much, we can find ourselves being emotional at the holidays. Andrea, Nancy and Donna read selections that
How amazing it must have been for the shepherds who were visited by angels to inform them of the birth of The Messiah! They followed a bright star to the
On the second Sunday of Advent, we light the Bethlehem candle and read Luke chapter 2. Try to picture Mary, 9 months pregnant, riding on a donkey, for a long
Traci and Michael Tope talk about how Donna Otto’s teachings at HBC/Modern Homemakers have made a difference in their lives. Traci is one of the ‘Voices of Modern Homemakers’ and
Prepare your hearts for the birth of our Savior by participating in Advent activities. Start by setting up an Advent wreath and read Scripture and other books about the birth
Happy Thanksgiving from the Modern Homemakers team! Donna encourages you to simplify your plan and do what God is calling you to do this Thanksgiving.
We often desire the shortest, easiest way to things in life, but God’s directions may include a delay or detour, as was the case with the Israelites (Exodus 13:17-18). Don’t
Andrea is one half of “The Girlfriends” who sit down to chat with Donna from time to time. This time, we learn more about her life as a girl growing
Andrea and Nancy talk about respect in friendship and valuing one another. As their friendship deepens, so do their hearts for one another.
Two change points in Donna’s life has led to greater spiritual formation: taking a Sabbath rest day during the week and finding a woman to be her spiritual director. If
Take courage! Keep raising your children and loving your husband, because God is with you and will see you through. Don’t let distractions take you away because you are doing
Close friendships are a ‘call and response,’ meaning you are there for each other, praying for one another, and encouraging one another throughout your lives. A ‘friend of your right
Emerson said, “Grace is more beautiful than beauty.” Being courteous and respectful is more attractive and will draw more people to you than physical beauty. Courtesy is biblical!
How many times have you wished you could take back something you’ve said? We have all used our tongue in unkind ways. Scripture tells us not to let any unwholesome
The Girlfriends are back and have a lot to say about personality types and friendship. They have great insight into the differences between introverts and extroverts because they live it
If you are interested in staying tight in a friendship, you need to choose carefully, be committed in the relationship, and consistently care for your friend.
There are several ingredients that are important to close friendships. Intimacy, as in a confidant, Acceptance, Humor, Willingness to Make Sacrifices, Perseverance, and Forgiveness. Donna has so much wisdom to
Dr. Greg Crow and Andrea Doan are Donna’s guests and they discuss the ever important issue of Communication in Marriage. They will cover the subtopics of conflict resolution and ways