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.
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.
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.
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 of Jesus.
Nov 29 2019
12mins
Elisabeth Elliott was Donna’s mentor, and we get to hear the chats they had about mentoring in the 90’s on Elisabeth’s radio show. Priceless and timeless!!
Oct 30 2017
33mins
God calls us all to obedience. Donna tells us to ask ourselves 3 questions: 1. What am I being disobedient about? 2. How is my life complicated? 3. How much is enough? The most important thing we can do is make space in our day for time with God. Just sit in His presence as you may have once done with your spouse before you were married, or when you held your infant in your arms, bonding with each other by just being together. This is the last of Donna’s teachings until September. Have a blessed summer and explore our web site for free resources that are available to you and catch up on all of the free podcasts you may have missed.
Jul 11 2018
14mins
Try not to let the hustle and bustle create chaos and disrupt life during this season. Give your children a choice of what they want to participate in and let them take responsibility for their choices. Do a service project with the family. And have days where you give them grace from chores, etc.
Nov 28 2018
13mins
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 miss the lessons God has for you in the “wilderness” or delays and detours of life, which could be illness, isolation, or a broken relationship. Give God consent to work in your life by giving Him control!
Nov 25 2019
16mins
Choose God first, and others second. Listen for God’s voice when making decisions because choices matter! There really is no such thing as an overnight success, but rather many small decisions are being made to change our lives.
Mar 02 2018
22mins
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.
Feb 08 2019
15mins
God chose to give us our children and we should treat motherhood as a ministry. Do everything, including changing diapers, as unto the Lord.
Jan 26 2018
20mins
Are you submitting to God’s authority and growing in wisdom? Donna’s teaching from 2008 is timeless and full of wisdom. The world is ever changing, but God does not. His Word stands true, and we need to know it and impart it to our children. Teach them to be faithful in the little things by modeling it in your own life. This is the first of a 5 part series that Donna taught to the Scottsdale study group.
Oct 03 2018
23mins
The kitchen is the most complicated room in the house. It’s up to you to make it less complicated. “Having a prepared home encourages a prepared lifestyle which encourages a lot more relationships building…” Donna Otto
This lesson is chock full of tips on organizing and keeping your kitchen clean.
May 17 2019
21mins
Listening is a forgotten art, but if we want to have deeper relationships, then we need to heed Donna’s advice for being a better listener.
Jun 11 2018
14mins
This teaching took place in front of a live audience over 20 years ago, and it is so full of wisdom from a mother of 8 children! Valerie Shepard offers encouragement for moms who want to spend time with our Lord each day, but find it difficult to do so when our children want and need so much of our attention. Be a good example to your children by intentionally spending time with God so you can be filled with His love that you, in turn, will lavish on your family.
Oct 02 2019
29mins
Be a woman of courage, saying YES to what you’re supposed to say yes to, and NO to what you’re supposed to say no to. Be sure you are making time for God and good self care! Avoid the time traps of technology, etc, which Donna describes. And, if you’re a ‘people pleaser,’ Donna gives tips on how to avoid saying yes to more than you can handle.
Jan 17 2018
23mins
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.
Sep 22 2017
24mins
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.”
Jan 21 2019
26mins
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.
Nov 27 2019
8mins
Are you lighting the light with kindness? Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” Jesus modeled kindness, so those of us who have accepted Christ have Him living in us and should be shining for Him.
Sep 20 2019
22mins
Apr 10 2019
16mins
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 lesson!
Oct 11 2017
20mins
One of Donna and David’s summer reads was “Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23.” Dallas Willard, the author, wrote about living a life of contentment and peace. Many of you may have memorized Psalm 23 from a Sunday school class and now Donna’s review of this book can help you put the truths from Psalm 23 into practice.
Oct 29 2018
19mins
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 place where they were told Jesus would be. Jesus came in humility at a time when the government proclaimed there be a census taken. He was born to simple people and His simple birth reflects Jesus’ early position as a humble servant.
Dec 13 2019
5mins
Dec 11 2019
19mins
Dec 09 2019
12mins
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 distance just to partake in the census! What did they bring for provisions? Was there really no room for them in their homeland? Donna gives us much to think about!
Dec 06 2019
9mins
Dec 05 2019
8mins
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 reads The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. This treasure of a short story is more than 100 years old, and has a clear message of sacrificial love between a young couple who don’t have much, but they manage to buy extravagant gifts for one another.
Dec 02 2019
17mins
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 of Jesus.
Nov 29 2019
12mins
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.
Nov 27 2019
8mins
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 miss the lessons God has for you in the “wilderness” or delays and detours of life, which could be illness, isolation, or a broken relationship. Give God consent to work in your life by giving Him control!
Nov 25 2019
16mins
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 up in Canada, her modeling stint in Japan, and the life she has built with her husband, Shane, and 4 kids in Arizona. Each of the choices she has made along the way have led her to a fulfilling life in Christ.
Nov 22 2019
41mins
Andrea and Nancy talk about respect in friendship and valuing one another. As their friendship deepens, so do their hearts for one another.
Nov 20 2019
32mins
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 there is something about your life that you would like to do differently, listen and take notes as there are many tools and ideas Donna gives us to help us grow more spiritually.
Nov 18 2019
21mins
Nov 15 2019
53mins
Nov 13 2019
22mins
Nov 11 2019
39mins
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 a great work!
Nov 08 2019
12mins
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 hand’ is willing to go through the ‘messy middle’ with you!
Nov 06 2019
19mins
Nov 04 2019
15mins
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!
Nov 01 2019
21mins
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 or corrupt word come out of our mouths. Donna gives us practical ways to help us be more gracious women by checking ourselves in how we speak to others.
Oct 30 2019
22mins