Soothing Saturday

Today has been soothing to me.  Yesterday had been quite an emotional day.  I was missing my dad and had a lot of mental & emotional stress going on that I didn't even realize I had been carrying until I cried for an hour.  Add in monthly hormonal issues, and I was quite the drama queen.  In private, I'm glad to say.  I kept it together in front of the kiddos.

Today I slept in until 9:00.  The kids got their own breakfast of cereal and milk ~ I had insisted on hot breakfasts this week, so they were looking forward to their Honey Bunches of Oats!  Bubby went over to my mom's to pull weeds and help her clean out from under the kitchen sink.  That left the girls and I to spend the late morning/early afternoon together.  Tweenager & I had Kindergartener otherwise occupied as we enjoyed our first mother/daughter movie-bonding experience.  We then invited Kindergartener to come and watch "Bolt" with us.  

Bubby came home.  I took a nice, long nap as the kiddos played outside with their friends.  Got up and made homemade nachos.  Watched a little college football with the hubs.  Kindergartener & I baked chocolate chip cookies.  Cleaned up the kitchen and am now baking muffins for our Sunday School class in the morning.

Just the day I needed.  Thanks, Father. 

Moving!

I'm going to be taking a bit of a blogging break for the next few weeks as we get packed up and ready to move to the Ozarks. That's home for me ~ I'm so looking forward to getting back to my roots and reunite with old friends and family. Once we get settled, I'll resume blogging, perhaps by the middle/end of May.

Happy New Year!

Can you even believe it's 2011? I remember when, as a teenager, I couldn't fathom the year 2000 ~ Why, I'd be 32 years old! That seemed to be SO far away ~ so far removed from where I was ~ yet here we are, eleven years later, no less!

Happy 2011! Time for resolutions, time for new directions, time for change. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family in the coming year and how we will grow ~ hopefully closer to one another as we strive to move closer to our Savior!

It's Almost Christmas!

My goodness, sisters, it's almost halfway through December, and only a week and a half before Christmas! Where has the time gone?

I've been reminded these past couple of weeks to savor the days we have, for we'll never get those moments again. My grandmother passed away November 28th ~ the day after she turned 93 ~ she was fortunate to still be able to think clearly and was, in reality, healthy as all get out. Her body was just tired and worn. I tried to imagine what it would be like to have been able to have all those years of life. What a gift! 93 years ~ 34,690 days ~ 832,560 hours ~ 49,953,600 minutes ~ 3,126,216,000 seconds/moments that affected the lives of so many people!

On the other side of the coin, Preschooler turned four on December 11th ~ just seems like yesterday she was a tiny baby ~ now she's singing scripture songs, writing her name (On her pink walls with a blue sharpie pen!) and learning cheers for her latest gig, an Upward cheerleader. She's completely adorable, fearless, funny, smart and absolutely precious ~ and I'm completely smitten with her!

I'm reminded that because of Jesus, we are given an abundant life, and as Christians, we should live our lives to the fullest! That said, I ask myself ~ how am I using the moments I have left in my life that will affect the lives of others ~ especially my husband and children?

An old song sums it up well, I think ~

It matters so little how much you may own.
The places you've been, or the people you've known.
For it all comes to nothing when placed at His feet,
It's nothing to Jesus,
Just memories to keep.

You may take all the treasures from far away lands,
Take all the riches you can hold in your hands.
And take all the pleasures your money can buy,
But what will you have when it's your time to die?

Only one life, so soon it will pass,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one chance to do His will,
So give to Jesus all your days,
It's the only life that pays
When you recall, you've had but one life.

A New Look!

As you may be able to tell from my new blog design, I LOVE Autumn! The cooler weather, plus the fact that most of the stores are coming out with their Autumn merchandise has prompted me to go ahead and change my design.

Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year! Cooler weather, changing leaves, the smell of a wood fire, sweaters and pumpkins always put me in a festive mood! I love taking the kiddos to the apple orchard, the pumpkin patch, our "Trunk or Treat", and, of course, Thanksgiving!

This is going to be the best season yet! I can just feel it! Let's celebrate!

What's Going On ~

Oh, how I wish I had the discipline to blog every day! Seems like my daily life rushes by, and I neglect to get to the computer! I don't know how so many women do it! They must be amazingly organized! I have managed to schedule some posts, but the day to day thing is almost too much for me!

That being said, I've managed to sneak in a minute while the water's boiling for my kid's fave lunch of all time ~ mac & cheese! I still need to do a couple loads of laundry, though, as well as grade papers and record the grades. The house is vacuumed, but I need to dust, Windex and mop, as well as clean the bathroom ~ sigh ~ all before my piano student arrives later this afternoon.

My pastor asked me to direct the adult choir for the Christmas cantata, and I'm so excited! I haven't conducted an adult choir for over 10 years, so I was a little nervous! Thankfully, the first rehearsal went well. Several people told me how much fun they had and that they really enjoyed it. I was so happy! Although I love to sing and play the piano, but I believe my "true" God-given talent is in choral conducting. I find absolute delight in teaching parts and leading the choir past the notes and rhythms to realize/recognize the meaning of the songs they're singing.

That's what's going on in mi casa this rainy Wednesday afternoon!

This & That

Today I enjoyed fiddling around with a new blog design ~ I hope you find the change as refreshing as I have! I wanted to do a new one for autumn ~ my favorite time of year ~ but decided it was too early yet. I've got everything picked out, so I'll be changing my design sometime in late September ~ early October.

I finally (!) found my devotional on Psalm 23 (I had taken it to church to share w/ my ladies' SS class and left it in my attache ~ just thought to look there last week!) so we'll resume our study on Monday.

I'm so excited to now have 8 followers! When I decided to blog, I did so to be a source of encouragement to my fellow sisters in Christ. I wanted to share the truths I learned as I studied God's Word. I wanted to be transparent as I shared my struggles/joys/rewards of being a wife, mother, homemaker and Christian woman in today's world.

One of the reasons I chose to begin my own blog was because I wondered if anyone else ever struggled as I did. When I first discovered Christian homemaking blogs ~ aka "Titus 2 blogs" ~ I noticed a pattern. Not only were these women super-organized with HUGE household binders that they followed to the letter, but they were more than happy to share how they managed their homes!

At first, I was impressed! These bloggers had designed their own home management binders ~ some were even for sale ~ with pages and pages of detailed guides for chores, cleaning, laundry, and home-schooling schedules. Some included a section for quiet time, journaling, weekly/monthly menu ideas, shopping lists, phone directories and "Prairie Muffin" manifestoes. I felt as if I were sadly lacking in my God-given responsibility to be an effective homemaker, so I dutifully designed and printed out pages and pages for myself. (Ironically, the hours I spent preparing my binder kept me away from building on my home and family!)

I wish to state that I have no problem with home management binders. The Bible encourages us to do things "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). It's great to have everything you need in one place. However, it seemed that these bloggers set these incredibly high standards for themselves (and others, according to how many other women posted about their similar binders) to live up to. They seemed to be prideful in their accomplishments of what they had to do each day.

In time, I began to feel intimidated by their posts instead of being encouraged. It seemed to me that they were implying that this is the way a healthy, God-fearing Christian homemaker should be ~ by being dresses only, wearing head coverings, making your own bread and clothes, and being KJV only.

(Doctrinal disclaimer: I myself believe the KJV to be the most accurate translation of the original Hebrew and Greek. However, the other versions are great for contrast/comparison Bible study.)

In continuation, these bloggers posted a week's worth of pictures of themselves in dresses and head coverings. Many made videos of tours showcasing their homes. I'm sure these bloggers only had the best intentions, but in reality, they unwittingly set themselves up as a standard for other women to aspire to.

Although there's nothing wrong with that per se, some women can fall into the trap of thinking themselves more spiritual/godly if they abide by certain "standards". In the comment section of one popular blog, I saw/read of women who were berating others that didn't believe as the blogger and the majority of her followers did. It was in this comment section that I discovered that there was actually a "hate" blog dedicated to "expose" the blogger for "who she really was". Disgusted, I quit reading this woman's blog. I couldn't help but realize that such is the reaping when one sows the seed of discord ~ in this case, the woman setting herself as the lofty "standard" of a "godly" homemaker.

Here is the fact: Jesus is THE only Standard! We're all sinners, saved by grace ~ our righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. Because of His grace and mercy, Jesus has redeemed us all! He is the Relentless Lover of our souls Who isn't willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I'm so thankful that Jesus looks upon my heart ~ not my outward appearance!

It's not going to make a bit of difference for the Kingdom if I'm super-organized with a home management binder. God simply wants me in my home, working and weaving on it each day. Jesus isn't impressed with my vaccuumed floors or sparkling toilets. He wants my heart to be clean for communion with Him. He wants my speech to be sweet and sparkling ~ uplifting and encouraging. My Savior doesn't care if I make homemade bread or buy Sara Lee. He is the Bread of Life! He wants me to do my household chores joyfully ~ because, in reality, as I serve my family, I'm serving Him!

What matters is this: I am on assignment from God to help, submit to, and love my husband. I am to teach, pray for, and enjoy my children. God wants me to watch over, build, and care for my home and family every day. My desire as a homemaker is to make our household a place of tranquility, rest, and refreshment. The ultimate goal for my home is that the hubs and kiddos will think, "When I get home, everything will be all right!"

Although I have my own personal preferences ~ not to be confused with doctrinal convictions ~ concerning my Christian walk, I will never use this blog to dictate them. I believe that anyone of any "religion" can be saved as long as they realize that: Jesus is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6) ~ that they have recognized their need for a Savior (Romans 3:23) ~ and that they have asked Jesus to save them (Romans 10:9-13).

With this blog, I never want to set myself as a standard ~ I fail ~ miserably ~ all too often! I hope to share, to encourage, and to inspire my fellow sisters in Christ. We are to have an abundant life, filled with the desire to love and serve our Savior!

Return

Well, sisters, as you can see, I have returned to the world of blogging. I know I'm a sporadic blogger at best, but there are just some days I simply don't feel like taking the time to blog. I'm impressed with those who do, and I'm thankful for the benefits I receive from their diligence.

The kiddos and I visited with my mother last week, and we enjoyed going to the pool, lounging around on her new deck, seeing Toy Story 3 (in 3~D), and eating cashew chicken! (This cashew chicken isn't what some of you may be acquainted with. This is SPRINGFIELD~style cashew chicken, first invented in Springfield, MO in 1963. This unofficial "dish of the city" is the most popular fast~food meal in Springfield! Imagine deep~fried, crispy chunks of chicken on a bed of fried rice, doused in a rich brown gravy, sprinkled with cashews and green onion. Throw in some crab Rangoons, and you're in heaven! Once you move away, you CRAVE it with all your being!)

I was able to spend a couple of evenings with Dana, my best friend from college. She and I have the type of friendship that we can pick up right where we left off and it's as if nothing has changed. We had a grand time shopping, eating out, watching chick flicks and solving all the world's problems! She blessed me with her time, fellowship, and generosity. She's the sister of my heart!

I share this idea of "return" with you all because I'm not only returning to blog land, but to the "homeland" of my roots. The hubs and I are moving back to the Ozarks, my childhood home. We're incredibly excited to begin this new venture the Lord has for us. We've put our house up for sale, the hubs is looking for a new job in the new area, and we are excited to become members of an amazing church there.

I realize that the idea of "returning" is sometimes associated with some kind of failure ~ but in the grand scheme of things, I believe it to be a new beginning. We are returning to the ministry, and we are so excited! This isn't for a paid position, either. It's simply the opportunity to open ourselves to be used for the Lord in whatever capacity He's chosen for us at this time.

Speaking of new beginnings, I've also returned to another dear friend of mine ~ Deb ~ a.k.a. "The Queen Mommy". She and I are collaborating to write a series of books ~ a dream of mine that's been on the back burner for years. Although we lost touch and hadn't corresponded in almost 10 years, once we reconnected, we totally connected! We are so much alike, it's scary! We even chose the same name for one of our daughters ~ spelling and all!

Return. A return to blog, a return to my roots, a return to ministry, a return to friendships and return to a long-awaited dream. A simple, yet powerful word. Simple in meaning, but powerful in the grand scheme of things.

"Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion

and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.

They shall obtain gladness and joy. And sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

"Return to the Lord your God."

Aren't you glad we can return? I know I am!