Simply Living...For Him

Taking the "School" Out of Homeschool- Part 2

2013-05-22T22:02:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I shared with you the first half of my recent presentation, "Taking the "School" Out of Homeschool" and how we celebrate the freedom that homeschooling allows academically. Today I want to focus on what I feel is the more important part of the equation. The discipleship. Without our children's hearts, all the knowledge in the world means nothing.

Education at home is about so much more than academics.

We are instilling character qualities in our children.

We are pointing them to God in all that they do.

We are answering a call to homeschool.

I am entering my eighth year of homeschool and what a testimony to obedience. When I registered my daughter that first year for kindergarten, I knew deep down she wasn't supposed to be there. I knew deep down God wanted me to homeschool. Yet, I didn't want to. I ran away kicking and screaming from Him! Yet, He pursued me and I eventually gave in….just for "one year." ;) {Did you say that too?}

Looking back I can not imagine if I had tried to keep suppressing those feelings. I have seen abundant blessings and fruit already from my obedience. Even though it was hard. Yet I must keep my eyes on Him and the harvest that is to come.

As homeschoolers these days it is so easy to get caught up in what very one else is doing and in the mindset of the ultimate in academics. God calls to us to raise our children His way, and I truly believe when we submit to Him, let Him lead us, and seek Him first above all we will be blessed. His plans for my children far exceed my own. My job is to trust Him- these children are ultimately His and not mine. He created them and He loves them even more than I do.

Can I really think that the God who created the universe will not give me the strength to homeschool and to to do it well? Of course He will! He called me here and He will not leave me here to fail. Yet, my job is to seek Him everyday. Being in the Word before anything else each day. Praying over my homeschool. Praying with my family. Seeking Him in all. We must put HIM before academics.

Teaching my children to love the Lord above all else is my duty. Homeschooling allows us to do that. This year we began using the Bible as our main text. Again, I felt that God wanted us to do it, and even though I felt ill-equipped. He isn't. I knew that if we spent hours of our day studying His Word, we couldn't help but be transformed. And we were. He taught us more than I ever imagined this year- academically, and most importantly spiritually.

Teaching our children about the Lord is our first and foremost job. If they know all the academic knowledge in the world, but don't know Him, what does it matter? We must teach them His Word.

This summer I plan an ebook all about our journey of using the Bible as our main text, so keep an eye out! I've been asked numerous times to do this, so I am excited! You can also visit me at Bible Based Homeschooling for budget friendly resources for a Bible based homeschool.

Also, be on the lookout for my next series based on "Ten Things Every New Homeschooler Should Know." Even though this presentation was geared toward new homeschoolers, it is really reminders that anyone on this journey can use! Subscribe here so you don't miss it!

If you are interested more about my journey to simplify our homeschool and let God lead us, my eBooks are available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon.com. Both are just $0.99 each!

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com just $0.99!

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

Lessons From "Taking the School Out of Homeschool"

2013-05-21T20:11:00.000-04:00

This weekend I had the privilege of presenting two workshops at ENOCH of New Jersey's Annual Homeschool Convention. I am going to share with you some of the highlights from my workshops in the next few days.

My first topic was "Taking the "School" Out of Homeschool." Essentially this was an encouragement to homeschooling families to embrace the freedom that comes from homeschooling. We don't have to follow a formula of what the public or private schools do, because we are not recreating those environments in our homes. Further more, we have the privilege at home to go beyond the academics and teach our children to follow the Lord above all else.

I do not believe God called me to homeschool,

so that I could recreate the public school in my home

Yes, as a new homeschooler several years ago, I created a school room and a strict schedule of what our day would look like. We would have "school" time and then "regular time." We had a blackboard, and times for each subject to begin and end.

How stifling!

Over the years I have learned to let go of the schedule and the confinement, and embrace the fact that real life, everyday, teaches my children more than any textbook. Children at home have an "immersion" learning experience to prepare them for life- living in the "real work" is how we earn to live in the real world.

I don't "unschool" by an means, but I do allow my children's interests to be cultivated at home. For instance, when my daughter started writing "for fun," it turned into her writing her first 30+ page short story. I didn't instill a bunch of rules on her, but I let her be free to exress herself. I didn't ring a bell and tell her it was time to move on to another subject, but I let her spend hours on her book if she saw fit.

Then there is my son. His mind is beyond mine ;) He is ten and just loves building, inventing, and electronics. He loves taking things apart and finding out how they work. After a field trip to The Thomas Edison Museum, we were inspired. You see, Thomas Edison's mind couldn't be confined to the classroom. He was kicked out of school and when he was home, he thrived. Ultimately he had 1,093 patents in his lifetime. Amazing!

So we set up a workshop in the garage, and my boys spend a great deal of time out there. They are free to explore and create on their own time line.

He organized his supplies

He has space to create in the garage and not worry about being "messy."

Homeschooling is about so much more than just "school" at home. It is real life training by immersion!

Here are some ideas to use to incorporate real life learning into your child's education!

a day of research on a topic of the child's choice
an afternoon spent listening to Mozart while painting
a day in the yard observing an ant hill, a robin's next, or a bee hive
a morning gardening, while learning all about compost, seeds, and zone planting
writing creative stories, plays, or poetry
a construction project in the home. complete with preiminary plans, blueprints, and the execution of the plan with the proper tools
cooking up an authentic cultural feast after weeks spent reading about that country
analyzing the nutritional content of your pantry
grocery store math, while grocery shopping
a day out to see a play or visit a local museum
a visit to the local nursing home
writing a letter to your sponsor child in Africa
designing buildings on the computer
helping with the finances by watching dad pay bills and budget (or do taxes!)
chores, chores and more chores...all life skills!
figuring out the how to build rockets, legos in 3D, and more
raising chickens
spending the day at work with dad as a mini-intern
learning all about how day to day life works by being immersed in it and not a classroom!

Tomorrow, I am going to share with you the more important part of taking the word "school" out of homeschool. The discipleship. The reason we are doing this thing we call "homeschooling." We are fulfilling a calling from God and are raising up the next generation. Without Him first, we will not succeed. So be sure to check back tomorrow or subscribe here to have the posts delivered directly to your inbox.

To read more about my journey with simplifying homeschool and letting God lead our homeschool, you can check out my two eBooks!

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com just $0.99!

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

Going Back to the Basics-"Vintage Homeschool."

2013-05-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

REPOSTING THIS OLDIE BUT GOODIE- on my mind since this weekend...

Just like when I first became aware of my need for simplicity on our family trip to Jamestown, (read my article I wrote about it here {Simplify Your Life} I have recently had the same thoughts about homeschool.

You see, after that trip and visiting an 18th century farmhouse, I was overwhelmed with the idea that those people worked so hard for everything they needed, and had very little conveniences. Yet here today we have every modern convenience available and yet, we are busier than ever, and still running around. We are so busy and overwhelmed.

I wondered what would those 18th century families think of us? We have dishwashers, washing machines, modern cooking, iphones, i pads, etc. yet we still are so busy? Why is that?

Well, yesterday I had an amazing conversation with a new and beautiful friend. We were talking about this aspect in homeschooling. We were wondering if even with all of the hardships of the previous generation of homeschoolers, was it easier in a way to be a pioneer homeschooler 20 years ago?

There were no facebooks, blogs, pinterest, and enormous curriculum fairs. Was it almost easier to have the simplicity of just homeschooling?

They were forced to rely on God.

Are we?

Or are we relying on how everyone else is doing it? (or how we see it on blogs, facebook, pinterest?)

We can fill up our minds on too much information.

But are we filling up on HIM?
Relying on HIM?

Believe me , I am grateful for the strides make in the homeschool movement, and am grateful for the ability to have SO much support-especially online.

Yet we must be careful to not let it consume our homeschool.

My friend and I yesterday coined the phrase "Vintage Homeschool." Maybe we should take it back a bit and block out all the excess information, and just simply let God lead our homeschools.

Forget about the abundance of information online, and simply rely on God to lead us.

Just like those 18th century farming families-who had no modern conveniences-what would they think of us today having so many luxuries and still so busy?

Those 18th century farming families also worked so hard. It wasn't easy.
Is that necessarily a bad thing though? Shouldn't we work hard?
Are we so busy trying to make things easier for ourselves, we forget that hard work is not necessarily a bad thing? A good work ethic should be fostered, and maybe not always trying to make everything so easy for ourselves?

Because of those veteran homeschoolers, we are here today. The homeschooling movement exploded. And they did without all the fancy "stuff" we have...Some stuff to ponder...

What do the veteran homeschoolers think?

Comment below, I'd love to hear different perspectives.

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

A Glimpse Into This Weekend

2013-05-18T09:17:00.004-04:00

I have the privilege this weekend of speaking at ENOCH of New Jersey State Homeschool Convention. I am having a blast. Yesterday I spoke about "Taking the"School" Out of Homeschool: Homeschooling as a Lifestyle" and today I will be presenting, "Ten Things Every New Homeschooler Should Know."

I had a full room yesterday and there is nothing like connecting with those homeschooling families in person. God has blessed me abundantly with this opportunity.

I will share more after the convention is over, but here are some fun snap shots from yesterday:

The kids were soooo excited to meet Steve Demme.

The Miracle of Spring

2013-05-09T21:41:00.000-04:00

My own backyard is bursting with God's glory these days. It is amazing to see miracles all around- we have a beautiful robin's nest right in a low bush- easy to observe. First it was a nest, then the next day there was one egg. The next day another egg. Today a third egg! Simply beautiful. Thank you Lord for this science lesson that reveals your handiwork.

Our garden started sprouting this week!

Seedlings popped up through the soil. Perfectly timed as we study botany.

Heard in our discussions..."Isn't God simply amazing? He takes a dead seed, and He brings it to life! He awakes the life inside with light and sun! Its roots go down in the soil...and it grows, lifting so high to reach the sun!'

Isn't that the picture of us- we were once dead, yet He made us new.

We burst forth through the dirt, and reached for the light. He gives us a place to let our roots go deep, and then we bear fruit...beautiful fruit that only comes from him. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Thank you Lord for the miracle of Spring.

Distractions

2013-05-08T15:55:00.000-04:00

An oldie but goodie...reprinted from last year...

It's so hard to focus these days. There is noise everywhere. There is stuff everywhere...pulling at us.

I sit even now, writing this with no one home but me. This.never.ever.happens. And I don't know what to do with it.
The dryer is buzzing, the clothes are overflowing the basket. The dishes are needing to be put away. But I want to sit. In the quiet. Yet almost don't know how to anymore.

In the mornings I rise an hour before the children. The quiet of the house is a blessing. The stillness. It's just me and the Lord. It's our time. Yet as the clock ticks closer I begin to feel the urge rise in me. The feet will soon be heard pitter-pattering across the floor. Every minute the sun is up longer, is a minute closer to the noise.

Oh Lord, I want to give my full attention to you. Not the ticking clock. I want to be in the moment. The noise of the house will be here soon enough.

The Lord of all the universe deserves my utmost attention.

Not half hearted.

Maybe I need to get up an extra half hour earlier? Is that solution? No.
The solution is to focus, on Him. No matter if I am in a train station with crowds abound, I need to focus on Him.
No excuses.

I want Him to be at the front of every thought. Yet there are those distractions.

Messes are made. Children fight. Things break. Schoolwork needs to be redone. It's loud.
I am distracted.

Yet, the ironic part is, in all of that, He is there, just as He is in the quiet. He hasn't gone anywhere.
My mind has.

The distraction online is too much for some. There is too much to see, too many things to read. Why, oh why are we distracted by what everyone else is doing? We need to focus.

In this world full of distraction, let's go back to simple. Do we need to be so plugged in? Do we need to focus on the futile?

I want to focus on the fruit. On people. Relationships. My family My kids. So much more matters than this world.

Eternal focus. I want to look up and not all around me.

Our best homeschool days are when we focus on Him in everything:

Wow, we did that really hard math. Praise Him.
Do you see His hand in History? Marvel at Him.
Wow, we have a sunny day. Praise Him.
We can't find the Legos. Pray to Him.
We have an argument. Ask Him for forgiveness.
He is there. In it all.

As Spring approaches I am pointing out Him in the creation. Things are blooming. The dead trees are bursting forth again with life. Feel the warmth of the sun-the plants need it to live. We feel the Light of His Son. We need Him to live.

He is everywhere.

Be so distracted by Him, it takes over every lesson.

He deserves our undivided attention.

I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:35 ESV

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com just $0.99!

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

Simple Spring- Soak It in and Enjoy These Days

2013-05-03T12:00:00.002-04:00

Simple Spring is my favorite time of year. I have been refreshed and renewed with the sunshine and warmth. The flowers blooming, the trees budding...it all reminds me of our Savior's great love for us.

As we read this morning of God's Creation and how beautiful and intricate everything He made is- I reminded the kids how all of Creation points to the Creator. He is creative, unique, and simply beyond comprehension.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

So take time to enjoy the simple. Bring the books outside...surround yourself with His Creation. Remember He makes all things new! This time with your kiddies passes oh so quickly, sit awhile and soak in the laughs, the smiles, and the joy...that all comes from those little hearts as they learn as a family immersed in His Creation.

Here is how we've been spending our days:

Our classroom on sunny days...

Our first red strawberry!

School outside!

Birds nest down in a low bush-thank you Lord for providing this easily accesible lesson!

Our biography reading this week

Reading from Apologia's Exploring Creation with Botany

Garden journals

Simplify Meal Planning...While the Kids are Learning REAL Life Skills...A Reader Shares Her Story

2013-04-29T08:27:00.001-04:00

Welcome! Have you subscribed to this blog yet? You will be encouraged to simplify all areas of your life... straight to your email! Subscribe here!

I am so excited to share this with you. I had a reader write me and tell me all about this God-given idea for simple meal planning that is also teaching real life skills. I just love it! She did not want to be credited but wanted the idea to be credited to God alone! What an awesome testimony of God's hand in all the details of our lives.

So here is what my reader sent me:

First of all, everything involved with making meals was not fun for me. Coming up with the ideas was very hard. And I had to do it three times a day, every day, every week, every year. Then to top it off, I can’t stand shopping. Cooking was not fun either for me. I want everything to be healthy for my family, but I love junk food type eating. Every meal was drudgery. I wanted to do the right thing, take good care of my family, make our meals pretty and tasty and healthy, on time (as we eat our meals together), and stay in our budget. Add to that the dishes that needed washing at the end of the meal (we don’t have a dishwasher), and I did not look forward to time in the kitchen.

I finally prayed about this problem. God gave me a fantastic idea. Praise HIM!! He is so good to me.

I have two children. Each of us has two days we are responsible for. A bigger family could work on a two-week or monthly schedule.

Monday - Youngest Child
Tuesday - Mom
Wednesday - Youngest Child
Thursday - Oldest Child
Friday - Mom
Saturday - Oldest Child
Sunday - Leftovers from the week’s meals

One day a week we go through recipes (or not) and come up with a meal plan for our assigned days. Then we write down all the ingredients on our lists that we will need to purchase after checking in the pantry to see if we already have some of the ingredients. This has taught us to use up ingredients we already have and not let those cans and bags and boxes sit on the shelf in our pantry and get closer and closer (and pass) the expiration date. This wastes money and food and just wasn’t good stewardship. This was also something I needed to implement, myself, so we learned this together. : )

We then go to the bank and get out $30 each ($15 per day). They see me taking money out of the bank every week. We go in so they can see me interact with the teller, and they watch as she takes my ID and fills out slips of paper and hands me the money the way I request it (6 tens and 6 fives). Sometimes they ask questions about what they saw and then real-life learning takes place. We put our $30 in each of our own envelopes. Then we get a free cookie our bank offers on the way out. It’s a good time.

I can see more learning taking place at the bank in the future by letting them fill out the withdrawal slips and making the actual transactions with the teller.

Now, comes the part my children really like and where a lot of learning takes place. We go to the grocery store. We each get our own cart (but usually they like to share a cart and divide their piles onto their own side of the cart.) Trying to practice Masterly Inactivity, I sometimes watch them make a poor choice or obviously overspend their budget, but I keep it to myself. The mistake will soon appear to them, then we can work on how to fix it or make better and healthier choices the following week.

So, this is some of the learning that has taken place from our shopping system:

-My youngest child has asked to carry a calculator in the store and tallies up purchases as they are placed in the cart. (This is exciting because I don’t allow them to use calculators at home.) This has stopped the overspending and finding out in front of the casher with someone else waiting behind us.

-My oldest child likes to use up what is already in the pantry and not spend much of the budgeted money. (I forgot to mention that the leftover money is saved in a crock for a “going out to eat” meal. We all like to do this, and it’s quite an incentive to not spend the whole grocery budget.)

-My children have learned how to interact and exchange money with different cashiers, as we each check out one at a time doing the whole transaction on our own.

Then the best part for me is about to happen. Going into the kitchen (did I just say that?). Praise God for this plan, because I can say that. We each put our groceries away where they go. (One tip is for each of us to have our own area for our special ingredients in the pantry, so my oldest child doesn’t “shop” in there and use it in meal planning.) Then we each take care of preparing the meals on our own day. Most of the time, we’ve made it a surprise and no one else is allowed in the kitchen. We do it up with great presentation to impress Daddy. Oh, the learning that is taking place in the kitchen is abundant as measuring, direction following, using the timer, mixing ingredients in certain order, kitchen safety, and trying creative inventions is happening everyday. We’ve had quite an interesting variety of meals, too (spaghetti with mashed potatoes and gravy for one. :) Daddy loves it. (We are actually spending less than we have in many years on groceries and staying within a budget. The extras that are necessary to run a house are budgeted in a separate envelope and purchased as needed.) Everyone is happy and excited and guess what… I only have two days a week I’m responsible for. So, now making meal plans is much easier, way more fun to prepare to impress, and the children are learning so much.

And just to end the day so much more enjoyably than in the past, the whole family cleans up the kitchen, and we do the dishes together. My husband likes to wash, and the children and I dry and put away.

Thanks for reading this and thanks to God for answering my prayer better than I could have thought or imagined.

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com just $0.99!

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

Lessons From Thomas Edison- A Homeschool Success Story

2013-04-25T14:02:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we had the awesome privilege to visit the Thomas Edison Museum. My oldest boy is obsessed with inventing and read about Mr. Edison this year, so I promised him a field trip to the museum. We were all pleasantly surprised as there was so much to see, and I was inspired by the fact the Mr. Edison was a successful product of homeschooling! In fact, he was called "slow"at school, but went on to create 1,093 patents in his lifetime and much of our modern day comforts came from Mr. Edison's brilliant mind.

This article found at EdisonMuckers.org explains it beautifully:

The world’s greatest inventor, Thomas Edison, was home schooled by his mother, Nancy Elliot Edison. After performing poorly in the traditional one-room schoolhouse of yesteryear, his mother refused to believe the teacher’s assessment that young Tom’s “brains were addled” (mentally slow). Clearly Tom was experiencing the world quite differently from his classmates, and mother Nancy knew her son had quite a bit of capability from the things he was doing and experimenting with around the house. Through a great deal of nurturing and leadership, she gave him the basic tools to learn, both in the form of process and content; and empowered him to learn.

Nancy Edison encouraged her son to have both a head and hands approach to learning, allowing him to have his own laboratory in their small basement-a place where his father became quite concerned as various small explosions emanated, along with strange smells. Nancy endured over dad’s protests and imbued Tom with four life-long pillars of learning:

Do not be afraid to fail, keep trying, learn from your mistakes

Read across the entire span of literature, not just what you like

It is OK to work with your hands and learn from life, not all important things come from books

Never stop learning, keep improving yourself.

In later years, a grown and very successful Thomas acknowledged that his mother’s discipline for a focused life was responsible for his great success. Today we hear a great deal of classroom interest in involving children in a head and hands learning environment. Renovated and new museums almost always involve head and hands exhibits or hands-on themes for learning.

Tom obviously learned differently from the standard rote learning and recitation of the day. It was fundamentally necessary for Edison to have a visceral feel for the information he was learning, especially for a need to experiment and react to the results of those experiments. Throughout his life Edison developed a love for literature and could quote many great poems and passages.

His life-long learning style motivated his strenuous recording of experiments, thoughts, and observations in thousands of detailed laboratory notebooks, which scholars are still mining today, 79 years after his death. So intense was his love of information, communications, and learning that he placed his own corporate office in his beautiful and well-stocked library. To him, a corporation was a continuous learning environment. In our Information Revolution today, symbolized by the ubiquitous Internet, Edison would be one very happy fellow!

I don't think it is by accident we have also been reading about Milton Hershey this week, who was also taken out of school because he wasn't doing well. It bored him. Ha! Look how successful he became!

We have learned that some minds can't be contained to a school room- in fact, none should! We have also seen the awesome character traits of diligence, perseverance, and hard work as well as a common trait of making a difference in the world is what helped these men achieve success.

Success for my children will never be defined by a test, a schoolroom, or a job even.

May their learning never be stopped by a bell forcing them to move on.

My son is free at home to explore his interests, spend his time discovering on his own, and creating. I would hate to stifle that. Just like Mr. Edison, he needs to experience his learning in real life.

It will be character that counts and character that aims to please the Lord. Without seeking Him first there is no success.

When Things Go Unexpectedly Wrong...

2013-04-24T08:09:00.001-04:00

Photo By Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes God really has a sense of humor. I had an enormous mountain of laundry to tackle this week. I was dreading it as the pile in my boys room grew bigger and bigger. I finally decided to tackle it, and as the last load was in, and the clean clothes were put away, I was feeling rather accomplished. I was feeling great!

Then as I walked downstairs and I saw water spilling out onto the floor from the laundry room, I knew I was in trouble. Opening the laundry room door, there was about an inch already of water covering the floor and spilling into our hallway. There was water coming out from underneath the machine.

By God's divine grace, my husband had just pulled in. I was panicing, immediately thinking of bills and cost, and the machine that was full of water...how would we empty it..how will we clean this up, what's wrong with the washer, etc. He calmly took over, as He always does, and got our shop vac (which pics up water- I had no idea!) The kids had been outside with our neighbors and they grabbed every towel in the house as we quickly worked to get the water up around our furnace and hot water heater.

Afterwards, the floor was dry and we were left with an enormous amount of sopping wet towels! The kids and the neighbors got fans and started wringing out the towels on the deck and placing them on the fans (genius!) They were also having a blast trying to run around the yard with them to air them out. They were too wet to put in the dryer yet, and the washer was still full of water. A very light hearted time in the midst of panic. Much needed. Grateful for the innocence of children...

Not long into the situation, probably because of my husband's calm, I became very calm and peaceful. I knew this could be worse. It was a washer, not a child that was broken. The kids were laughing and making the best of the situation....It was OK. It was OK....

I have been known to go into panic mode in the past. Yet this time, I relaxed and saw the situation with calm eyes, knowing the Lord is in control of every detail of my life...even overflowing washers.

He cleanses. I can't help to think He uses situations like these to grow us. The water that could have destroyed actually helped me to in the moment, rely on Him.

Isn't it amazing that the God who created the universe still cares about us in the small things? Because the washer over flowing really is a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Oh, how it could have been a huge thing. Yet, it wasn't.

Simple things matter. And this time, a simple washer taught me more lessons that day than I could have ever imagined.

So when trouble comes, stop and relax and keep your eyes on Him. He takes us through the situation whatever it may be.

phote source: Pinterest

Some Random Thoughts From This Week

2013-04-21T09:41:00.003-04:00

I am reading Mark Cahill's One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven and have really been thinking about how I share my faith, or how I lack. Cahill includes this poem in his book:

My friend, I stand in judgment now

And feel that you’re to blame somehow

While on this earth I walked with you day by day

And never did you point the way

You knew the Lord in truth and glory

But never did you tell the story

My knowledge then was very dim

You could have led me safe to him

Though we lived together here on earth

You never told me of your second birth

And now I stand this day condemned

Because you failed to mention him

You taught me many things, that’s true

I called you friend and trusted you

But now I learned, now it’s too late

You could have kept me from this fate

We walked by day and talked by night

And yet you showed me not the light

You let me live, love and die

And all the while you knew I’d never live on high

Yes, I called you friend in life

And trusted you in joy and strife

Yet in coming to this end

I see you really weren’t my friend

Powerful right?

Now I believe that it is God who ultimately lifts the scales from someone's eyes, and He wakes up a soul to the Truth, yet we are commanded to go and tell. We are commanded to play our part in God's plan. So often we don't share the Truth because we are afraid of rejection, yet Jesus suffered the ultimate rejection. We are afraid of what people will think, or losing a friend, but truth is, eternity is a long time to be separated from a friend. If we love people, we must tell them. Tell them the One and Only Truth that will set them free.

On another note, I have also been contemplating simplifying my time. I posed this question the other day on facebook:

How are you simplifying your time these days?

Giveaway for a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

2013-04-16T19:26:00.001-04:00

This giveaway is sponsored by Becoming Press...

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Simple Living eBook Bundle

2013-04-15T08:15:00.000-04:00

This week's bundle of the week is something I though you may all enjoy. You will get 5 ebooks about SIMPLE LIVING for just one low price!

Is simple living just a pipe dream in today's fast-paced, always-on, more-is-better culture? With this week's collection, you'll discover the secrets to living simply from five authors who are living intentionally and inspiring others to do the same! But don't wait because this bundle is on sale for 90% off this week only.
25 Intentional Days by AndHeDrew Laid out in an easy-to-follow format, 25 Intentional Days will take you step by step through setting effective long-term and short-term goals, finding time you didn't know you had, tracking your progress and creating the life you've dreamed of.
Simple Ways to Be More with Less by Courtney Carver In Simple Ways to Be More with Less, Courtney shows you how to simplify your life and live each day more purposefully. This book will challenge you, brighten your day, and if you let it, change your world.
Inside-Out Simplicity by Joshua Becker Living simply starts on the inside, and in Inside-Out Simplicity, Joshua shares why healthy relationships are essential to a simplified life. You'll discover how to live intentionally by embracing contentment, gratitude, and humility and making generosity, kindness, service, and forgiveness a hallmark of all of your relationships.
ClutterFree by Leo Babauta & Courtney Carver With the tools in ClutterFree, you'll learn how to eliminate the clutter and create more time and space in your home and life. Leo and Courtney walk you through understanding why we have clutter, learning how to get rid of it and enjoying a clutter-free life.

Flying by the Seat of My Soul by Tess Marshall Through personal stories, profound lessons, uplifting quotes and stories of others, Tess inspires you to live more passionately and pursue your heart’s desire with more conviction. Flying By The Seat Of My Soul will empower you to move toward inner change, let go of the past, follow your dreams and fly! The Simple Living bundle is only available through 8am EST on Monday, 4/22. Get yours today:

Simple "SUN Day"

2013-04-09T09:11:00.000-04:00

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Yesterday's post about How Do I Stand Being with My Kids All Day? received a great response! I am grateful for all of the kind notes and responses that I received. How encouraging! If you haven't read it, you can click here to read it.

Yesterday we also celebrated our annual "Sun Day." We don't take off during the winter for "snow days" so every year we wait for the first really warm day of spring and have a "Sun day." I surprised the kids when they woke up and told them, "No school! It's our sun day!" I told them they could choose what we could do with the day. They chose to spend the morning outside with a picnic blanket, chairs, and books! They lounged out reading, swinging on our rope swing, and looking at bugs. We also took note of the buds that are finally coming out all around. (I snuck in lots of learning ;)

Then they had a picnic lunch in the yard and afterwards we headed to a local state park. We sat by the river, explored, and just enjoyed the warmth! Oh, it felt so good after a very loooong winter!

On our way home, we stopped for Icee's (of course!)

What a fun day. Sometimes just not doing the usual routine and being surprised by a treat is just what we need. (Mommy just as much as the kids!) I am thankful we started this tradition at the beginning of our homeschool journey!

How about you? Do you take off for sunny days or snow days? What traditions has your family started?

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com just $0.99!

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

How Do I Stand Being with My Children All Day?

2013-04-08T10:58:00.003-04:00

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Somebody recently asked me (upon hearing that I homeschool) how I "stand" being with my children all day. A little taken aback, I didn't quite know how to reply, and did sort of murmer out how it isn't always easy but we enjoy each other. Afterwards I worried, did I sound judgemental, did I answer in gentleness, was I loving or defensive. In the end, I was just sad. Sad that our society sees kids as something extra. An accessory. Something to even get away from during the day.

Now I am not going to try and sound like everyday is roses. There are many days where it is hard. Especially in the winter. Yet, isn't any job? Does every job come with ease? Or any ministry for that matter? However, I see this job as such a privilege. Such a calling. Such a ministry. Raising my kids and teaching them. It is a wonderful gift.

Asking how I stand being with my kids implies that if I went to work, I'd rather be with my co-workers than my family. Or if I sent them to school, I'd rather be alone. It just makes me sad. Children are a blessing. It is a huge responsibility to raise them. It is a huge opportunity that God has given me, and I don't want to waste it by trying to wish it away or escape it.

There are many days when it is easy to have a negative attitude, but perspective matters. I wrote this on my Simply Living for Him facebook page

I don't know why I act surprised when there is laundry to do. Everyday. Or the dishes are in a continuous cycle of load and unload the dishwasher. Moms....these things are never going to go away, so why do we grumble that we have to do them? If I adjust my attitude and recognize that my work and my service at this season of life is to serve my family, then I am free to JOYFULLY do these tasks, knowing that I am serving my family and the Lord. It is a blessing to be a mom. Full laundry means we are clothed and we have a family to take care of. See it as a blessing. See it as a privilege. Perspective matters mamas! Like I tell my kids...schoolwork isn't going anywhere for 12+ years, so complaining about it won't make it go away. Instead, consider the task at hand as work from the Lord, practice gratitude, and serve joyfully...For the LORD ♥

Isn't that the truth? If we could see children (after all the ARE the next generation) as worthy of being with, and serving our family as actually serving the Lord, wouldn't it change our attitude? I hope my children never heard the lady ask how I "stand" being with them. I would never want them to think of themselves as less than worthy of being with.

And for the lady that asked me, it isn't her fault. Her perspective is what our society teaches these days. That children are a burden rather than a blessing. A chore rather than work that produces good fruit.

So I ask God to give her grace, to give me grace, and to never forget in a few short years, all of this will be over...the kids will be grown and I will be alone or able to choose my daily company. Yet for now, I will choose them, and I will enjoy this time of my life and I will do more than "stand" my children, I will embrace them.

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com just $0.99!

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

What a Job Loss Teaches about SIMPLIFYING

2013-03-29T10:36:00.002-04:00

You all know if you've been reading here awhile that my heart is for simple. Less "stuff" and doing more things. Real thing. Eternal things. Things that matter. I yearn for less so that I have less to take care of, less to clutter up my home and soul, and less greed to foster in my kids.

Then came October, when my husband lost his job. I wrote then about how a trip to the grocery store looks very different when you don't have a job. All of a sudden, the needs are all that matter. The wants can wait.

While we were never without during my husband's job loss, and God provided abundantly more than we could ask, it sure does change your perspective.

We truly only focused on our needs. And many of those needs, truly are not needs at all. Our society has come so far from what we truly need to survive, that it's almost difficult to discern that most things we have are not necessities.

Throughout he time of the job loss my mind constantly thought about provision. Would we have health benefits, would we have money for our mortgage, would we have enough for things the kids needed. Yet God promises to provide for our daily bread. That's it. My job is to trust Him in my daily needs. Oh, did God teach me so much about trusting Him with my needs and not trusting in the false security of the world.

If we lost our house, we are still a family. If we lost our stuff. We are still a family. If we lost all of our money. We are still a family.

We have a refugee family that our church has had the blessing of knowing and supporting these past few months. The stories- the dirt floor, the almost being killed, having no money, no provisions. All with an infant and a toddler. Yet there they are on Sunday morning, hands lifted, hearts bursting with praise for our God.

If only we could be so content. With nothing. Yet with everything- we have the only ONE who provides true contentment.

I think God strips away everything so we can see we need nothing else. But Him.

We get pretty distracted by all this stuff. By the things the world tells us we need to be happy. Oh there is no happiness in things. We always find ourselves wanting more. There is no satisfaction in the world. None. Zilch. Zip. Zero. While we may find short term pleasure, not one of those things provide us with eternal pleasure. Only HE does.

The more time goes on, the more we focus on stuff. We have Pinterest telling us to do all these cutesy things. To make everything look just so. We have social media bursting with ideas on crafts or items we need. We need to be on guard. These things only provide emptiness in the end.

Losing a job was a blessing. I have my priorities straight again. I have my eyes opened to the ONLY thing I NEED. I have contentment and joy that comes only from eternal hope in Jesus.

To the world it makes no sense, but to us it is Truth. I pray to keep my eyes firmly fixed on Him and to take these lessons from a job loss learned with me. To never forget. To press on knowing that this world can take everything away from us, but we will always, always have the eternal riches of Christ.

Sunday's Coming...

2013-03-29T08:38:00.000-04:00

Reposting this from a few years back....

We just finished reading through Matthew 26-28~Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection. I don't know that I can adequately write in words today how I feel about my Savior. Humbled to tears and on my knees...

On this day, know that I pray for every person to know the freedom and joy that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are free, indeed. For eternity.

I leave you with this powerful message. Be Blessed. Sunday is Coming!

God Weaves Us Together and New Creations...Baskets and Eggs

2013-03-25T20:52:00.000-04:00

Today we worked on a fun activity as we prepare our hearts for Easter. We took construction paper to weave "baskets." As we wove the different strips of paper, we discussed how God uses all different things in our life to weave our lives together. Some good. Some bad. Some hard. Some fun. All things that get woven together as a beautiful tapestry.

Afterwards we dyed eggs. We used "natural" dye that we made from spices, although it was interesting because the eggs came from a friend's chickens and many were already browns, blues, and beige! So the colors turned out quite interesting. We also used clear tape to make crosses on the eggs, which came out quite beautiful.

As we dyed eggs, we talked about how eggs represent new life and how we all have new life in Christ. We are new creations.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Then we put our eggs (our new creations) into our baskets (our life woven together by God) and displayed them. It will be a great reminder this week as we prepare for the coming of our Risen Lord!

Passover, Easter, and Spring Cleaning-Inside and Out

2013-03-22T16:24:00.000-04:00

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We are studying Exodus in our Bible studies at home, and by God's divine grace we are at the Passover...which also "happens" to begin this week. Isn't God amazing? I love how He orders our steps and lines thing up just right.

Today we began reading from this book...A Christian Passover Seder and it is incredible. I am in awe of the Lord and how Passover is such a beautiful picture of Jesus. It is amazing how Jesus was present in the Passover meal in the Old Testament, long before Jesus walked this earth. Truly amazing.

While we just love learning about the symbols of Passover and how they directly relate to Jesus, one thing that really struck me today was the leaven. The Jews were to rid their homes of all leaven the week before Passover, symbolizing the fact that God has instructed them to not use any leaven before the Israelites escaped Egypt- to be prepared to leave at any moment. The leaven also represents sin, and how we are to rid ourselves of sin.

Did you know that Spring cleaning may have originated from this Jewish tradition? Spring cleaning can rid our homes of dirt, but we can also take it further to rid ourselves of sin. We can clean inside and out.

Oh, do I love Spring cleaning. Purging out the dust and clutter from winter and making things fresh. I like to declutter and open up the windows and prepare for Spring. The time of new birth. Oh, and so symbolic of the Christian walk, of Passover, of Jesus. Amazing!

I also think it is such a beautiful time of cleaning inside as well. We can declutter our minds and what we have been putting into them. Taking all thoughts captive and focusing on the One that can clean us inside and out.

Passover, Easter, Spring...all amazing times of reflection, rebirth, and renewal.

Share below ways you are Spring cleaning inside and out! I'd love to hear!

If you would like some Bible Based resources for studying Passover or Easter, head over to my other site Bible Based Homeschooling {on a budget}

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

First Day of Spring and New Creations

2013-03-20T07:54:00.000-04:00

Reposting this from last year: Happy First Day of Spring!

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Image: Rosemary Ratcliff / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today is one of my favorite days out of the whole year. For starters, I love Spring. It is my favorite season. It is a beautiful time of growth. It is also the anniversary of the day that I met my husband.

Today marks 16 years since I met my love. It was only fitting to meet on the first day of Spring.

Let me explain:

I was at a dark place when I met him, yet I was beginning to seek God at the time. And God knew exactly what I needed. He sent my husband into my life right when I needed it.

Soon into our marriage I would be reborn. God woke me up and plucked me out of the darkness to live in His Light.

Spring is a time of rebirth. All of the dead winter and darkness wakes up again and springs forth, bursting with new life. The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and the sun is warming the earth. It is the most lovely time of year.

There is so much to do in Spring that involves only the simple-being outside and in His creation.
Run with your kids, jump in the puddles, lay in the grass, turn over rocks, wade in a stream, take a hike!

We did this amazing activity last week, as an illustration of His handiwork.

It is a picture of what God does with us. We once lived in death and darkness. Yet when we have Jesus in our heart, we are made new. We are born again from death into life, eternally.

Look around this Spring. See Him in nature. See Him in action. See what He does. He gives those trees, those flowers, and those plants new life.

Just like He did for me 16 years ago.

Happy First Day of Spring!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com

Click here to order!

Simply Homeschool is now just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com Click here for more info

Exciting News and Lessons From the Master Teacher

2013-03-18T12:59:00.002-04:00

Psalm 34:4

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears

Anyone who has been with me long enough here, knows the last several months have been full of ups and downs. My husband lost his job, we pushed through Hurricane Sandy and a power outage for almost two weeks, and so forth.

God has brought us through many experiences, and many different places these past several months. And not one single second of it was for naught or for harm. Ever. It was all God working for good.

I don't know that I could adequately describe all the variants of emotions that have rained down on us. Yet the things that I do know astound me. They all fall in line with what we have been studying in our school this year. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that God put us in His Word studying the exact things we were, for this time in our lives.

He is the Master Teacher.

Truly.

Like Abraham with Isaac, we are called to have faith in things so unseen. Even when the Lord bring us to a place of true testing where we think we can't go on a single second in this state, He shows up to relieve us.
Like Joseph, the things we thought would be for harm, God works for good.
Like Abraham, we hang to the promises of God and cling tight knowing He will not forsake us.
Like the Israelites at times- oh we forget, oh we forget what God has done, and we quickly complain again or lose hope. Yet He redeems.

There is so much more, but these are the things I can articulate now.

So now I will share what God has done for us through this. When my husband lost his full time job in October, he also at the time had his own business on the side,FarmHaus Studios. He was able to bring in freelance jobs during this time, and actually in the last month or so, was given an abundant amount of jobs. Deep down in our souls, we both knew that ultimately some day my husband would want to make his freelance business his full time job. Yet we were afraid. Would it be enough to sustain us?

I won't go into all the details, but there are so many pieces of the puzzle that lined up these past few weeks....from job offers that wouldn't work, to more freelance jobs being offered.

We prayed for clarity. While away at the Real Refreshment Retreat I begged God in prayer time for relief from this situation. The uncertainty of the future was becoming so hard.

Then He answered.

He delivered.

One day later, we had complete clarity. A situation arose where we knew with certainty that God was calling my husband to pursue his freelance business.

And then there's Exodus. Oh, my goodness. God is teaching us in His Word exactly what we are learning in life these days. Exactly.

We read in Exodus this morning... (bold and italics are mine)

Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

Just last week, I was there. I was faced with the sea in front of me and the armies pursuing behind. I saw only was here and now. Temporal. I felt trapped. There was no clear answer. That is in human terms.

Then God provided a way. An unseen way. Or even a way that was there all along, but was now so clear.

And I felt relief. Relief beyond anything I felt lately. I can hardly type without trembling, because God is so ever present and making himself known.

All of these things happen, so God can gain glory through it. I told my kids...If the Isrealites escaped Egypt easily, would God's power have been seen? If there was no struggle, would they have known God's power? If Daddy had gotten a job the next day after he lost his, would God have been able to show Himself? Would we be as close to Him now? Would God have received so much glory for what He does?

No. We need to go through these trials so He can gain glory. Done. End of story. It is ALL for Him. Not for my comfort, or my relief. For Him. So the world can see HIM through us.

So, now to tell you...my husband's company, FarmHaus Studios will be our family business. We have prayed over this as a family, and are committed to keeping our eyes on Him as a family, that He will provide for us each step of the way. God doesn't call you to something and then leave you there. He will equips us as long as we look to Him.

We have committed as a family to praying together for his company weekly, and to look to the Lord in every decision and detail. He is ultimately in charge of all if this. I know He wants us to do this, so we will have to rely on Him that much more. It would be too easy to get a "secure" job, and quickly forget our True Provider. This will keep us relying on Him for each job and for each provision. Exactly where we need to be.

We are so excited at the opportunities for us that will be opened up through having a family business. We have desired to be involved in ministry more, and we see more doors opening this way than if he had taken a full time job. God is maginicent. I can hardly express how much closer I have grown to Him through all of this.

Finally, if you are interested in visiting my husband over at FarmHaus Studios click here. He is talented in all aspects of design, video, multi-media, and web. (He's also done my eBook publishing and design) You can see an amazing example of his video production here.

Most of all my husband loves the Lord, and desires to glorify Him in all. You can also like him on facebook here. Tell him I sent you over- He'll be thrilled with the support.

May God be glorified in all for my family's future. All Glory to HIM!

What a Long Journey...

2013-03-14T19:54:00.000-04:00

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So many things have gone on lately, that it has been hard to write. I sometimes sit down and can't even begin where to start...

Back in October when my husband lost his job, I had no idea it would be this long and we still would be unsettled. Although, we have been provided for abundantly and have seen God's hand through this whole situation and we know His plans are good, at times we have felt the sting of anxiety.

The past month particularly was more difficult for me. Sure we knew God was in control, but why was nothing clear? Why were doors only halfway opening and then closing? So many nights praying for clarity, only to wake up in a fog. Then I sprained my ankle, leaving me housebound for too long, and it only helped to have my mind on the wrong things.

Then this past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Apologia Real Refreshment Retreat in Baltimore. And boy, did God show up!

Through a crazy series of events and almost not getting down there, my girlfriends and I arrived Friday night. I was at the hight of my "fog" and just feeling so down. I spent much of Friday night in tears. I was so thankful though for my amazing sisters in Christ, who so gently wipe my tears away...and pray for me...and encourage me...and point me to Him in each moment.

I now know clearly why I had such a hard time getting to the retreat, and why I was in such a mental fog Friday night. The enemy was trying his very hardest to keep me from what was in store for me on Saturday.

God prevailed. He always does! Praise the Lord!!

The verse of the weekend was Philippians 4:8. It was life changing. I truly needed to fill my mind with things above and not of this earth. I have known this verse for so long, yet this weekend it permeated my soul.

If you have never been to a Real Refreshment Retreat, it is simply something you must do! I am telling you, it is a God ordained, Spirit filled, time of refreshment for the homeschooling mom. There is very little talk about how to homeschool or curriculum- no homeschool mama- this is all about your heart, refreshing your soul, and pointing you to the One who has called you to this jounrey. These are all the things I write about in my books and speak about to groups- Apologia's heart at Real Refreshment is united with mine- pointing sisters to the ONE who leads us on this journey...

Saturday night when I came home from Real Refreshment, my heart was so full. So full, that I couldn't really articulate what I was feeling. I do know, that instead of letting some personal issues take over, and feelings of worry and fear take over, I went right back to the source of life for me- His Word.

I have spent so much time in prayer and in the Word since, and I am so grateful for Real Refreshment for this weekend. It was so needed and at the exact moment that I needed it. Truly refreshing. I actually looked at my girlfriend during one of the sessions and said, "Is this really for anyone else?" Seriously, some of the speakers spoke exact words I had been thinking and praying on...exact phrases. God is good, isn't he?

Apologia is bringing Real Refreshment to Atlanta next. If you are in the area, do NOT miss it! If you are feeling weary or are in need of encouragement, you will be so blessed! If you are looking for true fellowhsip with other sisters, this is it! There are also beautiful times of prayer and worship and being in a room full of sisters in Christ worshipping together is a glimpse of glory, I tell ya....it truly is.

For more info, head over to Apologia!

I am now inspired once again to keep pressing on in this journey, clinging only to the One who can sustain me, and to continue writing and encouraging other homeschooling families. Have you visited my other site yet, Bible Based Homeschooling {on a budget}? I am daily sharing lots of great resources for Bible based homeschooling over there! Head over and check it out!

Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool Available for PDF download or Kindle at Amazon. com

Click here to order!

Looking to keep it simple this year? Are you looking to eliminate clutter?
Simply Homeschool is still just $0.99 for download or for Kindle at Amazon.com or PDF download- Click here for more info

Guess The Baby Contest-WIN a $250 Amazon Gift Card!!

2013-03-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

The winner is Kathleen Conradt!

Here is a fun game brought to you by the iHomeschool Network and YOU can have a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card just for playing along!! How great is that?

Here's the game: (game is now over)
Head over to
iHomeschool Network and take a look at all the beautiful bloggers from iHomeschool Network. Then try and guess each blogger's baby picture! Each entry will have a chance to win a $250 gift card from Amazon.com! Head over now and play!

Hint...I dreamed of being a princess when I was 4 years old... ;)

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

2013-03-06T09:28:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce I will be presenting 2 workshops at this year's

ENOCH NJ State Homeschool Convention!

May 17-18, 2013

at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison, NJ

For more information please visit ENOCH.

Visit my speaking page for more info:

Speaking Schedule

If My House is Messy...

2013-03-04T08:54:00.000-05:00

( I am posting this from the archives..just because sometimes I need to remember this too :)

I composed this post this morning as I was frantically cleaning my house, and realizing sometimes a mess speaks volumes...

My house has been a wreck, yet it has been such a busy few weeks, some things just don't seem that important anymore...

If My House is Messy...

If my bed is unmade...
It's because of the little ones sleeping with me at night, comforting each other ,while daddy was away...
sleeping in, cuddling close...

If there's toys scattered about...
it's because children are playing, exploring, and just being kids...enjoying their toys...

If my furniture is dusty...
it's because I just didn't have time to dust...I was too busy building a fort, playing in the yard, and coloring with my 2 year old...

If my floors are sticky...
it's because we enjoyed lots of treats together...had company in and out...letting my home be a place of comfort and hospitality...

If my stove is messy, and there's still crumbs on the counter...
it's because my kids were busy cooking up their own recipes in the kitchen, and we have an abundance of ingredients...
how grateful am I, not to be looking at an empty pantry...

If my house is messy...
yes, it's because we LIVE in our home...
LOVE in our home....
and those are the things that matter most...

Sometimes we just need to change our perspective,
and not focus on the mess...but how the mess was made...