Simplicity | Learning to Enjoy Things Without Owning Them

We are always looking for fun things to do with the kids that are age appropriate and won't break the bank.

One thing that I remember my mother doing with us as girls was taking a weekly trip to the library. We would walk there (it was a five minute walk from our house) and spend a couple of hours doing school work and looking through the books. We became friends with the librarians and looked forward to our time spent there.

Fast forward 20 something years, the library has become a favorite place for my children as well.

The library has changed a lot since I was a kid- there are now computers, games, puzzles, and cool bean bag chairs for making yourself comfortable in with a good book. There is now story time for children under the school age during the school year and learning class time for all ages during the summer.


The library has thousands of books, that are available to enjoy. Toddlers, children and adults alike can enjoy all of the books free of charge (unless one is late returning these books, then there is a late fee).

Let's think back to the original Simplicity post . One of the steps to simplicity is learn to enjoy things without owning them. There are so many books I want my children to enjoy, but it would be impossible for us to buy them all. A library offers access to a plethora of materials for education and entertainment.

When it comes to learning to enjoy things without owning them, we are not just limited to the library. There are parks, beaches, festivals, and other things that can be enjoyed for free or for a nominal price without having to own anything.

The beauty of learning to find ways of enjoying things without owning them is two-fold. In some cases in teaches patience in waiting your turn before you can enjoy something. It also reduces the amount of stuff brought into your living space which keeps clutter at bay. Clutter is an enemy of simplicity.

I want my children to grow up understanding they do not need to own everything they enjoy. They do not need to have an extensive video library; they can borrow movies from the library or rent them for a $1 at a local kiosk. They do not need to download every song they like; they can enjoy Pandora free of charge and enjoy their favorite songs and find others like it. They do not need to purchase every book they want to read; they can borrow it from the library.

What important lessons will this teach them in the long run?

• Not every needs to be owned in order for them to enjoy it.

• To save their money for things they really want or need.

• To critically think about purchases they do make.

• Less clutter equals less stress

How will they learn this lesson?

It starts with me and the example I show them. Children will not learn this lesson on their own. They need to be shown that we can learn to find ways to enjoy things without owning them in order for them to learn how to do the same.

The library is a good place to start.

Chocolate- Peanut Butter- Ritz Sandwiches

The original post can be found here.

My aunt Elsa is one for always having the best snacks and homemade treats. These little sandwich cookies are one of my favorite desserts. We just call them Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Ritz Sandwiches, but they should have a better name considering how delicious they are.

We'll just pretend they are calorie free!


You can definitely involve your children in making these treats, and you can often find the ingredients on sale (usually in a buy one get one free deal). Does it get any better than that? 

Ingredients:

• Ritz crackers
• Peanut butter
• Melted dipping chocolate (packaged as almond bars)

Directions:

1. Using peanut butter and Ritz crackers, make little sandwiches.
2. Dip Ritz peanut butter sandwiches in melted chocolate.
3. Set on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and put in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
4. Sit back and enjoy.

Simplicity | Developing a Deeper Appreciation for Creation

This post contains affiliate links.

The original post can be found here.

One of the steps towards simplicity discussed in the chapter "The Discipline of Simplicity" from the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster is develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.

Okay, so let's just lay it out here. 

I do not have a green thumb.

I do not like to get hot and sweaty.

I can't stand the feel of dirt on me.

I (and my hair) do not fair well in the Florida humidity.

So now that that is out in the open, I am also willing to admit that I want to change a few things. As the winter cold came to an end (which for Floridians is anything colder than 70 degrees), we began going outside more, I began hanging my laundry again, and my kids discovered the beauty of uninhibited running outside (because you just can't do that inside a house).

Every year in the spring, I remember this feeling. The one that reminds you that the earth is a beautiful place. The one that causes you to take deep breaths of air and fill up your lungs with fresh oxygen... not the recycled stuff from inside.

The feeling that I need to appreciate God's creation more than I do.

Why am I so afraid of my children getting dirty?

Why do I not want to get in the dirt myself?

There are so many wonders to be discovered in God's creation.

In childhood, what is the ultimate simplicity?

Going outside and playing with whatever you can find.

When kept inside, my children find themselves in need of something to do for entertainment. That is when the crayons, coloring books, toys, and even my furniture and pots and pans come out. This in turn gives us the added chore of having to clean everything up.

When my children are outdoors, God has provided everything they need for entertainment.

• plants (weeds count) to look at, pick, and to learn the art of gardening with 

• large open areas for running without worry that anyone will run into a sharp corner

• insects and bugs to catch (and because bugs do not stay still, the entertainment lasts quite a while)

Addie is definitely an outdoor girl.

Ian is totally an outside boy.

Mommy is a let's-find-something-safe-to-do-inside kind of girl.

Yet I am learning that there is definitely something freeing, calming, and peaceful about just being outside.

• When I hang my laundry, it is then that God puts dreams and aspirations in my heart.

• When I am outside, I find myself praying and praising more.

• When I am outside, I smile more.

• When my children are outside, there is a refreshment that comes over them that they cannot get from being inside.

• When my children have a good play outside, they rest much more easily at night. 

I am trying to develop a deeper appreciation for God's creation. 

Because developing a deeper appreciation for God's creation is a step towards simplicity.

Simplicity | Step Five: Purge/Declutter

The original post can be found here.

My next simplicity step is one that I have been doing for years, and I am sure many of you do it as well.

Organize/purge on a cycle.

When I was teaching, I would go through my room (when I was single) or house (once I was married) twice a year. The first was during Christmas break, and the second was during the summer (my two big breaks). I would go through my closets, drawers, and under my bed (I used it for storage of hope chest items), toss what was unusable, give away or sell items that were in good condition but I would not be using again, and keep only what I needed. For some, twice a year is all that is necessary. However, a husband, two children, and bigger house later, I am finding that cycle organizing is what works for me. So exactly what is that?

For me cycle organizing means that I start at one end of the house and begin the organizing/purging process one room at a time. By the time I make it all the way around the house, it has been about 4-5 months and I begin the process all over again. For me, this method keeps things from having a chance to build up around us. It also makes the next cycle of organizing and cleaning out easier because fewer things have had a chance to accumulate.

Those of you who have small children know that they outgrow clothing sometimes in about three months. It is nice to be able to go through my children's drawers and cycle out the smaller sizes and cycle in the bigger sizes. This also gives me a better picture of what my children actually have available to wear, and gives me a heads up if it is time to take them clothing shopping.

Toys are also great to cycle in and out. (Check out my post at Frugal Homeschool Family for more on that.) By cycling toys, Addie always has something new-to-her to play with and her toys get plenty of use. As she outgrows items, they are either sent to Goodwill or saved for Baby number 2 (thinking ahead...nothing more :).

Also because of the cycle, my cabinets, closets, and drawers stay neater and doing a quick purge is always possible. It also keeps me aware of what I have, so buying doubles rarely happens.


I would encourage you to clean out one drawer or cabinet today. It can be a craft drawer, clothing drawer, bathroom drawer, bathroom cabinet, kitchen cabinet, or (dare I say!) junk drawer.

Have a blast!

Archives | Children Are a Gift

Original post can be found here.
 

Children are gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward. Psalm 127:3
 
Children are a blessing.  

They bring a level of joy to a family that could otherwise not be felt.  

They are insurance that there will never be a dull moment with them around.  

They bring the constant sound of laughter and joy.  

They are evidence of God's goodness and grace.

They are the new generation.  

They are the ones that will carry the family name and line into the next generation.  

They are friends with each other which ensures that the family closeness will continue.  

They get excited to see each other.  

They run off to the playroom to play will dolls and dollhouses, books, and computer games. The older ones read to the younger ones. The older ones carry the little ones and encourage growth and development in them.  

They are all ages and sizes, but that doesn't matter because they are family.

And they have already made our family proud.

Simplicity | Step Three

The original post can be found here.

How are you all doing with the idea of simplicity? The idea of simplicity is something so many of us want to achieve, but we must also balance that with the reality of the times we live in.

Believe it or not, I originally was going to go about the "simplicity" thing in a very complicated way (go figure!). I decided to break down what I was already doing, rethink my steps, and then add to the process over time. Things stick a lot better when they are done in steps. And everyone in the house gets to learn the steps along with you without overwhelming them. They begin to fall in with the plan without realizing it.

If you are new to the blog, then before reading today's blog, I would encourage you to check out the last two blogs here and here.

Today's Simplicity point is.....

Plan your meals at least one week ahead. 

I'm sure this is not new (or news) to many of you. You may even plan a month at a time. High five! Planning my meals by the week has always helped me considerably in planning my day, grocery list, and budget. Let's see why and what an effective way to go about this is.

1. I can see what our plans are for the week.

If I need to have a quick meal, have enough time for an elaborate meal, if we are having company, or if we will even be home for dinner on any given day, I will be prepared to feed my family each day. Why plan a meal and purchase the ingredients for a day we will not even be home for dinner? By checking the calendar and planning ahead, we will be more prepared and waste less.

2. It allows me to use what we have in our pantry.

By planning my meals, I know what recipes I will be making, and I can gear them around what is already available in my pantry. Again, we will spend less if we cook based on a plan, and base that plan around what we already have available to us.

3. I am able to grocery shop with a purpose and not without a plan.

As I plan my menu, I have my grocery list beside me. As I pick out my meals, I am able to go to the pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what I have and what I need to pick up. Write down your needs immediately and precisely according to what your recipes requires. Nothing is worse than going to the store and bringing home the wrong size can or wrong amount of items.

4. By planning ahead, I can see if I need to let my meat defrost during the night.

For example, last week we had a whole, little chicken for dinner. Because it was a slow cooker recipe, I needed my meat to be defrosted and ready to go in the morning. Because I knew what we were having the next day, I was able to have it ready for the slow cooker instead of looking at a frozen piece of meat in the morning and wondering what I was going to do with it.

5. By planning ahead, my husband knows what he can expect for dinner when he gets home.

He loves that! And hey, he works hard, so he deserves to know that I have a great meal waiting for him when he gets home.

6. By planning ahead, I am able to save money!!!!

Planning meals based on store sales, coupons, and stackable deals (store sales and coupons- my favorites!) will help you save. Buying this and that because I may want to use them at some point will make you grocery bill larger than necessary. However, don't be afraid to stray off of your planned list if you see a great sale on something you will use (dry goods, canned goods, etc.).

Last week, our local Sweetbay was having a going out of business sale (25% of their store brand products). I went ahead and purchased quite a few things that were not on my list, but they were all ingredients that I use in our favorite recipes or that would make delicious but quick dinners. I have already figured out that I will not have to purchase dinner items (including meat) for the next four weeks!

Planning ahead will take between 15-30 minutes of your time. But it will relieve you of stress throughout the week. You won't find yourself standing in front of your fridge, with the clock ticking away in the background, thinking, "What am I going to do for dinner tonight?"

And please remember, the number one rule of wives, mothers, teachers, and women in general... be flexible! If your husband wants to take you out to dinner one night, don't say, "Oh, I have such-and-such meal planned for tonight."

Go!

He is probably just trying to thank you for having had such great meals planned for him. If it is already cooked, just save it for the next night (I always keep one night as left over night since we always have left overs). If it isn't cooked yet, you can always move that meal to next week's schedule.

Archives | Simplicity: Step Two

The original post can be found here.

"God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising." Ecclesiastes 7:30 JB

Here is a quick recap of the 5 steps from last week: 

Have a morning routine.

Do one load of laundry a day.

Load your dishwasher throughout the day, and wash the dishes at night.

Pick up as you go along.

Do a "Clean Sweep" several times a day.

Today's simplicity point is an extension of last week's points.  

Prep the night before. 

I had gone into this a bit in a post at the beginning of the school year, but here are some other ways that I have worked these into my home.

Make and pack lunches. (most of the time). By packing the non-perishables and putting the sandwich in the fridge, it is one less thing for me to do in the morning. It also gives me a chance to be creative with my husband's lunches, instead of trying to slap a lunch together when I am still groggy.

Hey, ladies, while prepping your husband's and/or your children's lunches, try sticking a little note inside. Brian has kept all of the notes I have put in his lunch box over the years, and it is a blast reading back over the notes. Doing this the night before helps me to really think about what I am writing to him without feeling rushed in the morning.

Get the coffee pot set. Cleaning it out, setting the water, and measuring out the coffee makes the morning very sweet. All I have to do is push the button as soon as I wake up.

Check the calendar to see what dinner is for the following day. Nothing is worse than having a crock pot/slow cooker meal on the schedule, waking up and having a frozen piece of meat to work with. 

Give your house a "Clean Sweep" one last time. I hate waking up and finding a cup or mug here and there. Having everything in its place the night before ensures a smooth morning. There is something to be said about not waking up to clean yesterday's mess. It also helps me sleep better knowing that I do not have anything hanging over my head.

Look over your plan for the following day. Knowing what is on your next day's agenda will help you plan accordingly for meals, dress, lunches, schedules, and diaper bags.

By prepping the night before, I have plenty of time in my morning routine to have my devotions without feeling rushed. I am able to sit and enjoy my quiet time with a cup of coffee (prepped the night before, of course) without the feeling of just doing it to cross it off of my list.

I hope you find these tips helpful for your upcoming week.

Archives | Simplicity: Step One

The original post can be found here.

"God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising." Ecclesiastes 7:30 JB

I have been thinking about the idea of simplicity lately...and how I tend to over-complicate things.

So for my own peace of mind, and for the sake of the rest of my family, there are some routines (or daily habits) that we have that make life simpler around here.

Have a morning routine.

Knowing what I am doing every morning takes the guess work out of the first part of the day. Morning routine items include my devotions, putting on the coffee, getting Brian's lunch together, putting a load in the wash, changing Ian's diaper and clothes, emptying the dishwasher, waving "good-bye!" to Brian/Daddy as he sets off to work, making the beds, getting myself dressed, breakfast for the kids and me, drying my load of laundry, and school. It seems like a lot, but actually, several of these things take little to no time at all.

I only do one load of laundry a day.

It goes into the washer as part of the morning routine, and once it is dried and folded, I don't think of laundry until the next morning. Both kids put their own laundry in the hampers, so I do not have to chase down dirty clothes. Addie puts her own laundry away in her dresser drawers. I remember working on this with Addie when she was much younger, but now that she is older, the time I put in back then has payed dividends.

The dishwasher is loaded throughout the day and the dishes are washed at night.

This method has kept the sink empty throughout the day. However, this also calls for the dishwasher to be ready for dirty dishes. As I mentioned, emptying the dishwasher has become one of my morning routine items. Addie and Ian help with putting away the dishes and items that go in the lower cabinets. Addie keeps an eye on Ian and only lets him help with nonbreakable items. As she gets bigger, she will take over my part of the "putting away" and Ian will take over her current job.

We pick up as we go along.

Throughout the day, as things get pulled out for use, I have been making a conscious effort to make sure they go back as soon as we are finished using them. So many times, it is easier to say, "I'll get it later." But the rule is "if you take it out, you put it away." Even if it takes forever! It really is worth the time and effort now to teach them how to put things away the was we want them so later, we are not having to undo something that was done incorrectly.

I do a "Clean Sweep" several times a day.

Throughout the day, things are bound to get left out accidentally. We do a "Clean Sweep", which is basically beginning at one end of the house, walking through each room making sure that it looks the way it is supposed to, and moving on tho the next room. I usually time myself for 15 minutes for the whole house (because the house is already in order, this should only take 15 minutes). The kitchen is always the last room that I hit.

These steps are ways that I have been able to streamline/simplify my morning and day, and I am able to accomplish more during my afternoons.

Archives | Mom's Chicken Soup

The original post can be found here.

I love having recipes on hand that I can pull out when my schedule has thrown a curve ball at me, and I can still have a good healthful meal for my family. This is one of those recipes.

This was always one of my favorite soups that my mother made for us. Every time she made it, it had a slightly different taste, and you never got the same soup twice because she just used what she had on hand. She would also try a different combination of spices and seasonings (again based on what she had on hand).

What I love the most about this recipe is that it lends itself to customization and tweaks very easily. If you make your own chicken broth or stock (which I do once I have enough bones collected in my freezer), use that as the base for your soup instead of water. I love throwing carrots, celery, and corn in my soup to make it "stretch farther" as my mom would have said (there was a Spanish phrase she used that I can hear in my head, but I cannot for the life of me spell out!).

During my pregnancy of Addie, I caught whatever bug was passing through my classroom at the time, so Mom came over and made me a pot of her chicken soup. I don't know why, but I asked her for the recipe, "Just so I have it..." Boy, am I glad I asked!

Mom's Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• a stock pot 1/2 filled with water
• 1 packet Badia Sazon Tropical (found in the cultural section of your grocery store)
• 2 packets Sazon with Achote (there are a variety of Sazon products- also found in the cultural section)
• 6 olives
• Adoboe (also in the cultural section- a salty flavoring. Season to taste)
• 6 skinless chicken drumsticks (you can use any type of chicken/turkey you prefer or have on hand)
• 2 tbsp Sofrito (also in the cultural section)
• 1 cup (cooked or uncooked- either way works) rice, lentels, or beans

Directions:

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients, and bring them to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to a medium setting.
3. After 45 min., add the final ingredient (rice, lentels, or beans) and cook until softened.

This recipe will make quite a bit worth freezing for a later date.

After storing, the soup will thicken. Add a cup of water when reheating.

Archives | Simplicity

This post contains affiliate links.
 
Original post found here. 
 
"God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising." Ecclesiastes 7:30 JB

In 2010, the word i chose to focus on was simple or simplify. In some ways to simplify and declutter (which was my word for 2009) work hand in hand so maybe I was just building on that thought.

As I was talking to my Aunt Ruth on the phone, I had mentioned that I wanted to simplify things in my everyday life that I can sometimes make so complicated. She mentioned that she had a book at her house (Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster) that I could read and look through that talked about simplifying.

 After reading the chapter on "The Discipline of Simplicity", I thought I would share the major points with you, look back at the posts from that year, and look at how I worked this into my own life.

So many times we think that by getting rid of things we will make our lives more simple, however, simplicity begins in the heart and is evidenced by outward actions.

Christ was not complicated at all.

He said come as you are, not come with all you have. If we come as we are, we will stand before him with nothing in our hands. So many times we carry around physical, emotional, and even spiritual baggage that weighs us down and keeps us from living a restful, stress-free life. When we realize that He is all we need to truly be satisfied, that is when we have reached what true simplicity is all about.

As part of an upcoming (review) series on this blog, I will be taking the following ten points from the chapter and delving into them in greater depth. I will also be applying these principles to my life and noting the changes that come from choosing the discipline of simplicity.

1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them. (parks, libraries, beaches)
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.
7. Look with healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes.
8. Obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest speech.
9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.
10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God. 

I hope you enjoy this "look back" series as much as I look forward to the review.

Archives | One Dish Chicken and Rice Bake

This post contains affiliate links.

You can find my original post here.

I thought I would share with you my "go to" recipe for those times when I am pressed for time and need something quick, easy, and flavor-filled, or that I can make early in the morning and refrigerate until I need to heat it up.

Everyone in our family likes this dish. Addie, our picky eater, loves it which really is saying something. Ian likes that he can feed himself with minimal mess. Brian's general rule is that as long as it is not peas or coconut, he will eat it. I love how easy it is to put together.

This is not my original recipe. It is from Campbell's Kitchen, but I have altered the amount of seasoning used. This also works if you need to double the recipe. I do that a lot when our family comes over.

One Dish Chicken and Rice Bake

From: Campbell's Kitchen
Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 45 min.
Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water*
3/4 cup uncooked regular long grain white rice
1/4 teaspoon paprika (I actually just sprinkle it on until I am happy with it- way more that 1/4 tsp.)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (same rule applies here that I used for the paprika)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I have used leg quarters, drumsticks, and even chicken breast with the bone and it comes out just fine- just use what you have)

Directions:

Stir the soup, water, rice, paprika, and black pepper in a 2-quart shallow baking dish (if you double the recipe, use a much bigger dish. I usually use my largest Pyrex when I double the recipe). Top with chicken. Season with additional paprika and black pepper (have fun with it:). Cover the baking dish.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.

*For creamier rice, increase the water to 1 1/3 cups.

Archives | Pianos from Heaven

You can find the original post here.

Addie and I have loosely begun piano lessons here at home. Every time I see our piano, dust it, or pass by it I am reminded yet

again that God provides not only our needs but our wants as well.

You see, I (meaning my parents or me) have never had to buy a piano. 

Many years ago (I was in junior high) when we lived on Staten Island and my father was in the ministry, I wanted to learn how to play the piano. But we did not have a piano. I remembering "just mentioning" to God that I wanted to take piano lessons and left it at that.

An attendee at our church found out that a church, which was hosting the daycare her daughter attended, was giving away a piano and wanted to know if my parents would be interested. It was an old upright piano, the pedal didn't work, and some of the keys did not play, but I loved that piano. I worked so hard and practiced every day, and by the grace of God, I advanced very quickly in my piano lessons. Once, my piano teacher came to my house to give me a lesson and was shocked to see what I had been practicing on.

One day, about four or five years later, in youth group when prayer request time came up, I said that I wanted to become the best piano player in the world, and I think I mentioned our piano and its condition.

Some of the kids laughed.

One young man in particular went home and jokingly told his parents what my request had been. Their response was...... 


"We have a piano here that no one is using. We'll let Suzette use it as long as her family lives in the area."

The parents contacted my parents who gave me the news, and we gave our upright piano to my uncle who loved refurbishing old furniture. I was so excited the day that piano arrived! I now had a piano with all working parts to practice on!

It was on that piano that I practiced and studied and worked my way into Westminster Choir College with my major in Music Education and my primary instrument being the piano. (Terry R., I have never forgotten the gift from your family and how many hours of joy that piano gave me.)

When we moved to Florida, we returned the piano to its rightful owners. Since we lived with my aunt and uncle for the first 8 months, I practiced on their piano. 

After we moved into our own home, I used the piano at the church to practice. 

When Brian and I were married, one of the things he wanted us to eventually buy was a piano. 

However, once again, God used someone to bless us with a piano. 

My in-laws were going to be moving into a newly built home and had no place to put their piano in their new home (it had been their 10 year anniversary gift to each other). Because they knew we had wanted to get a piano, they offered to give us their piano. 

That is how we now have the piano that Addie and I are having lessons on.

All three pianos were blessings from God.

All three pianos were given to us at just the right time.

All three have served us very well.

All three hold a special place in my heart... and I need to make more time to just sit and play.

The Prayer of Jabez | Conclusion

"...and God granted him what he requested."

We have come to the end of our series on the prayer of Jabez, and how fitting that this phrase is the end of the verse.

We see that God honored the requests for blessing, increase, protection, and limited pain.

We have been praying this prayer over here in our little corner of the world, and we have seen God provide, bless, and protect.

Do you remember how we began this series by talking about personalizing this verse? Well, this is how I end this prayer during my prayer time. "And God granted her (Suzette) what she requested."

And He has.

 He has been faithful.

I hope that you have been praying Jabez's prayer along with us. As you see God's blessings pour out on you and your family, be sure to keep track of them.

I noticed that for us, as we began praying this verse, we became more aware of the blessings that God was giving us.

 As the blessings, increase, and protection come your way, be sure to make your children aware of them. Nothing is more faith building for a child to see than that the God that they serve did not only work in the pages of the Bible, but He also is at work in their lives as well.

Even if your children are small, talking to them now about God's Hand at work in their lives will make a huge impact as they grow.

May the Lord continue to bless you.

Archives | A Lesson From Addie

Ecclesiastes 3:7- "...a time to be silent and a time to speak."

Sometimes you need to get away from your normal circumstances in order to see things in someone that you are always around that you never saw before. One weekend, back in 2009, gave us a whole new look into Addie's personality at the time.

We had been able to take a trip to Disney for my birthday. As we would go on the different rides at Disney, she would only stare and take everything in. It wasn't until after we had moved on to the next thing that she would start squealing, giggling, and talking.

As we passed rides we had already ridden, like Dumbo, or the characters we had already taken pictures with, like Tigger, she would point and squeal with excitement. There were even times when she would just burst into giggles, and we had no idea why.

We discovered (actually, Brian figured it out first) that Addie was waiting to express her feelings until after she had seen and experienced an event. After it was over and she had had a moment to process everything, she finally expressed her feelings (this does not necessarily hold true today).

It was almost as if she was having a delayed reaction.

I see now that it wasn't. It is a well thought out response to a situation.

Once again, God taught me a lesson using my toddler. I need to hold my response to a situation until I have had a chance to process all of the information. As in the verse above, silence is first and then the chance to speak. God had a reason for putting certain words in the Bible in the order that He did.

Lord, help me to be silent, and then give me the words that I should speak.

Two Directions

I am directing you in two directions today.

If you do not follow me on social media, yesterday I mentioned two other places where you could find me.

This post from July 2012 is part of an Olympics celebration roundup that Annette Breedlove from In All You Do put together. If you are looking for tons of activities to make the Winter Olympics come to life for your child, this is definitely a spot you want to check out.

I also have a new book review up at Christian Children's Book Review. I love this little book called "Hey Warrior Kids: Put on Your Armor!"

I hope these are two places that you will enjoy visiting today! Happy Wednesday!

The Prayer of Jabez | That I May Not Cause Pain

The original post can be found here.
 
"...that it might not pain me..." 1 Chronicles 4:10  

Depending on the version that you read, the translation is different. Some say "that it may not pain me" and some say, "that I might not cause pain." Both are powerful.

We all know the sting first hand of pain, whether it be physical or emotional. However, many times without realizing it or thinking about it, we can be the cause of someone else's pain.

Who me? Never! Why, we are perfect! 

If anything, it is somehow the other person's fault for taking us the wrong way! We all have these conversations with ourselves in our minds when we know that some one is upset with us. And while sometimes that may be true, it is not accurate 100% of the time.

The name Jabez means "pain; sorrow". We discussed in this post the importance of the meaning of names.

The Bible says that Jabez's mother bore him in pain and then named him Jabez. After having that label on him since birth, he was asking God to keep him from causing any more pain.

"That I might not cause pain" admits that we are human and as humans we have the capability to make mistakes which cause pain. By asking God to keep us from causing pain, we are asking Him to help us be mindful of those around us, their sensitivties, needs, and situations so that we are not responsibile for causing pain in their lives.

Matthew 18:7 says, "Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!"

We want to be sure that we are not the cause of offense or hurt in someone's life.


"That it may not pain me" is asking God to protect us from the same pain that we do not want to inflict on others. And although no one wants to experience pain in any way, we understand that pain can happen, but we are asking God to keep the pain from being a permanent throb.

Lord, as a stay-at-home wife and mother, I am limited to the interactions that I have. Help me not to cause pain to the ones that see me the most and who I love the most.

The Prayer of Jabez | Keep Me from Harm

The original post can be found here.
 
"...and that Thou would keep me from harm (evil)..." 1 Chronicles 4:10


Every day, just by putting on the news, we are hit with the tragedies around us. Yet, God has the ability to "protect us from danger, accidents and evil men" as my mother used to pray every time she got into her car to go out.

Now before I go on, please understand that I am not saying that by praying this phrase you are putting some kind of spell or magic bubble around you. We live in an evil world, but we serve a mighty and powerful God who can protect us.


As a little girl, I will never forget the time that my sister (2) and I (7) were sitting in our living room watching Sesame Street when my mother came running into the house to get us. She had been outside, and saw many of our neighbors looking up into the sky. She went over to them and asked what they were looking at.

"There is a tornado up there, and it looks like it is coming this way," one of them said. 

Why they were all standing there watching it, I have no idea.....

That is when my mother came running into the house, grabbed my sister and me, and took us next door to my Little Grandma's house (Addie's namesake).

Two of my aunts, who are prayer warriors, were visiting with my Grandma. The four women began praying for God's protection upon us as we were in the possible path of this tornado (not nearly the magnitude of a midwestern tornado, but it could still bring damage and serious injury). After a few minutes, mom checked out the window and saw that the neighbors were still outside. She went out to see what was going on- even though we wanted her to stay inside with us- fearless woman that she was!.

"It is amazing!" one of them said. "It looks like the tornado is now moving away from us!"

We found out later that the same tornado touched down a few miles away, removing the roof shingles off of a house.

God's hand kept us from harm that day.

Bruce Wilkerson, author of The Prayer of Jabez book and series, tells of a time when, after a particularly draining weekend of speaking engagements, either he or another pastor got on a plane to come home. His seat was in the center of the row and the men on either side of him were reading magazines or books of a vile nature. He closed his eyes and prayed that God would keep him from evil.

Without explanation, both passengers closed their books almost simultaneously and did not reopen them for the remainder of the flight.

God had kept him from evil.

Sometimes God's method of keeping us from harm or evil is to take us Home.

Although that is not what those of us who are left here want, it can be best for the one taken. When a loved one goes in for surgery, we pray for God to be the surgeons and to bring the loved one through.

In His sovereignty, God can answer with a yes or no, but either way He is still keeping harm or evil from us.

Almost six years ago the answer we received after Mom's triple bypass surgery was, "No, I know what is best even though you do not understand it."

I have learned (sometimes after much questioning) regardless of what the final outcome is, I need to ask the Lord to keep me/us from harm/evil. He will answer in the way that He sees best. I can ask, believing that He will answer the way I am hoping, but knowing that His answer is what is best.

That involves trust on my part, and for someone that prefers to be in control it is not always easy, but I am learning day by day to surrender my control to Him.

The Top 10 Viewed Posts of 2013

I thought it would be interesting to see what the top ten posts of 2013 were. These were chosen based on how many page views each post received individually- shown in (#). 

If you haven't had a chance to read the article, click the title under the picture to be redirected to that article.

 That Is When God Stepped In (Part One) (442)

The Greatest Myth of Homeschooling (271)

What We Read for Fun (255)

 Our Curriculum | First Grade (235) 

Why Daddies Need to Date Their Daughters (218) 

17 Books for Celebrating Thanksgiving (194)

Needs: Theirs, Mine, and (H)ours (172)

 The Heart of a Homemaker | Love Their Husbands (167)

Lessons From Mom | Devotions (135)

 Scripture Meditation from Thriving Home (125)

Archives | Are You Sleeping?

Have you heard the song While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns?

It is one of those songs that reaches into the heart and touches a nerve because of the message in the words. For me, it is one of those songs that I never get tired of listening to.

The premise of the song is this: What world and eternity changing events happened while the people of Israel were spiritually sleeping, and will we be spiritually sleeping when the most time changing event in history (the rapture of the church) takes place?

Right now it truly seems that our country is in a spiritual coma. 

We accept any and every spiritual idea as being equal to God's Word in order not to offend any groups, meanwhile, Christians are quickly losing their rights to voice their beliefs.

Laws are being made in different states to control what pastors say from their pulpits in order not to offend any groups, and symbols that depict the Christian heritage of this country are being taken down or hidden behind the religious symbols of other groups.

Despite what any person chooses to say or believe, America began as a Christian nation. History cannot be changed to fit the political sway of our country in the present or to please those we feel threatened by. 

One day (soon I hope), the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout (it sounds like He is going to be excited to get us!), with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ will rise first (that would be Mom and a host of others that we love who have gone on before us). Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds (what a reunion that will be!) to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

The question is: Are you awake or asleep? As Jesus told Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane, "...are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is week." (Mark 14:37b-38)

The Prayer of Jabez | Your Hand Part 1

"...and that Thy hand might be with me..." 1 Chronicles 4:10

When God's hand is upon you there is no power on earth that can stand in your way. God's hand offers guidance, love, protection, a shield, comfort, care, and hope.

Have you ever thought of God's hand being ever present and ready to be tugged on at any moment?

If you are a mother (or father), you know what it is like to have your child grab your hand. When my Addie or Ian grabs my hand, it fills me with love and that protective feeling, but it also sends me a message. That message can be:

• I'm taking your hand because I want you to steady me as I twirl around. I'm so happy, but I know that if twirl without holding your hand I'll lose my balance, fall, and my happiness will be gone.


• I'm taking your hand because I want to spend time with you.


• I'm taking your hand and pulling you close because I feel like giving you a sudden squeeze of love.


• I'm taking your hand and hiding behind you because I'm nervous, and I know you'll keep me safe.


• I'm taking your hand and showing you what I want. It is in a place I can't reach, but you can.
  


• I'm taking your hand and showing you what I need. You are strong enough to open the door to the refrigerator to get me the milk that is necessary for my health, growth, and development- or just because I'm thirsty.


• I'm taking your hand and trying to climb up your leg so you will hold me. I'm sad right now because I have gotten corrected, fallen and hurt myself, or didn't get my way, and I need you to hold me, comfort me, and show me that everything will be all right.
• I'm taking your hand so you can hold me because I'm too tired to walk on my own.

Do any of these sound familiar to you in the different ways you have of reaching over and taking a hold of God's hand? Doesn't it just fill your heart with love for a God who is so personal that He is always there with His hand?

Don't be afraid to reach out and take a hold of your Father's hand.

You can find the original posting from 2010 here.